Musharraf – From Dictator to Tyrant

The continuing tradition of power struggle in Pakistan

In almost fairytale-like fashion, the Pakistani army had transferred the reins of power from the corrupt, fraudulent politician to the gallant, yet simple army general in the bloodless coup of 1999. The coup was the reflection and total embodiment of the solidarity and loyalty that characterized the Pakistani army at the time; probably the only institution in Pakistan that could boast of such noble qualities.

Fast forward to 2007 and public opinion has not been kind to Musharraf. His over-eager acquiescence to American imperial designs was opposed, but tolerated. Now with the sacking of Pakistan’s vocal Chief Justice Ifthikhar Chaudhry and his ruthless battle against free media, Musharraf is outlawing dissent while desperately, frantically trying to maintain his hold on power – and it seems to be slipping.

I succinctly remember a visit to Karachi during the mid-90’s as a 13-year-old. I was at a vendor shop with a cousin, drinking a bottle of Pepsi and having a general conversation when my eyes fixated on a large graffiti painting of a man wearing large glasses. The painting was in the midst of other MQM graffiti that was common at the time. I began to laugh loudly as I found the large glasses to be quite comical. Seeing this, my cousin nudged me hard and said "uss aadmi pe hasogay tho yahan sub thum ko nanga karkay sheher ki sair karaingay" (If you laugh at that man, the people here will strip you naked and tour you across the city). The painting happened to be of Altaf Hussain, the leader of the MQM. My laugh came to an abrupt halt.

I quickly learned this was no exaggeration. Such were the ways of the Muhajir Qaumi Movement, now called the Muttahida Quami Movement that had gone from being an honest lobby group for Urdu-speakers to a corrupt mafia led by a despotic leader in Altaf Hussain who was supported and fueled by Zia-Ul-Haq’s self-serving government. The party’s rise coincided with the spread of hatred. The result was catastrophic, Karachi was the epicentre of ethnic warfare – the city of lights had turned into the city of hell.

Flashes of this unfortunate past were rekindled this past May in a brutal, nonsensical bloodbath involving supporters of various parties gunning each other in the streets expressing their support or opposition to the presence of the Chief Justice. From the looks of it, the government did not even try to stop the violence. There were two reasons for inaction a) the government is involved in a coalition with the MQM and b) Musharraf was desperate to show that the Chief Justice did not share the same support universally throughout Pakistan.

Musharraf’s affiliation with MQM is not only a strategic blunder, it also illustrates the depth the dictator is willing to fall in order to consolidate his hold on power. Aligning himself with a political mafia will not only stigmatize his own character, but it also has the potential to engender greater resentment from the masses.

As always, the MQM is usually blamed for any violence in Karachi whether deserved or undeserved. Understandably, they have become an easy target and a convenient cop-out for those who want to ignore the mass societal and economic problems of the country itself. Obviously, other parties were also armed and responsible for the violence as well. Similarly, the Chief Justice should also be held accountable since he was fully aware that violence would erupt. Yet, he seemed content in creating chaos for the government, even if that meant the cost of innocent life itself. His movement would see much more respect if he decided to leave Karachi and vouch for peace than try to publicize his martyr campaign in an area not sympathetic to his cause. In Pakistan though, everyone is an opportunist.

From a leadership perspective, the security situation in Karachi had improved since 1999, and Musharraf was lauded for his efforts. However, the government’s inability to control the violence and Musharraf’s complicity with those inciting it has put a noticeable blemish on that record.

The dismissal of the Chief Justice has perhaps fomented a response not envisioned by the government. There is no doubt that a seven-year witch-hunt for "terrorists" would inevitably result in numerous disappearances and accounts of torture. The uprising is natural and unless Musharraf stops playing pawn to a weakened and de-legitimized leadership in Washington, Pakistan is likely to see many potential Ifthikhar Chaudhry’s come out of the woodwork.

Nowhere is Musharraf’s desperation more evident than in his battle against the free press. Intimidation tactics used against news stations such as GEO and AAJ combined with threats to crack down on media coverage is not helping the government’s cause. Tightening media restrictions in a climate of opposition will only bolster it and swerve greater support towards the symbol of resistance, namely the Chief Justice.

Furthermore, Musharraf’s recent decision to reverse its media crackdown in light of national and international protest is an indication of uncertainty in dealing with the current fiasco. A leadership wrought with panic and uncertainty has the potential to abuse its power and deny its citizens their most elementary freedoms. The US after 9/11 is a perfect example of that.

Instead of toying with civil liberties that Musharraf’s dictatorship purports to uphold, it is time Musharraf re-assesses his policies in regards to the "War on Terror" because the only war he has been fighting so far has been against his own people.