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Do
you think the National Security Council proposed by the President Musharraf will
improve Pakistan’s political system?
Views must be focused and to the point to avoid unnecessary editing and should not exceed 250 words. No views without the full name and address will be entertained.
Please
send your opinions at
vf@jang.com.pk
The NSC would do nothing for Pakistan or the people, but would safe guard the interests of only army and induct more army men in another institution.
Lala Muhammad Ashfaq Ayaz
Jalalpur Jattan Distt. Gujrat
This is right step and by means of it the national political system will get
more stable.
Zahoor
I completely agree with the
idea, because this will restore writ of law. It will help to stablize the
system, which was on the brink of collapse. The political corruption would
hopefully be curtailed.
Dr. Hafeezullah
PMC, Nawabshah
I believe it will be a source of effective check and balance.
Usama Munir
Abudhabi, UAE
I strongly condemn the decision of General Musharraf. All of us should
discourage the role of armed forces in national politics/government and leave
the constitutional amendments of all types for the new National Assembly.
The answer to your question requires one to to ask
another question. What is General Musharraf’s preferred political ideology and
who is his role model?
On the other hand, General Musharraf’s approach to bring reformation at political and economical level in Pakistan needs to be contrasted with that of a certain General Kenan Everan [Chief of the General Staff] who also took power in a bloodless coup in Turkey in 1980. After coming into power General Evren formed a National Security Council [NSC], which became the organ for state policy and the issuance of laws. Moreover, Evren fromed a cabinet of technocrats and civilian experts and announced he would take the following measures:
i)
Preserve national unity
ii)
Restore security
iii)
Reinvigorate state authority
iv) Ensure
social peace
v)
Apply social justice
vi) Restore
state authority within a "reasonable" time.
Those of us who have followed General Musharraf’s speeches
will know that the above has been a long pervasive theme in his administration
of the nation. Moreover, General Evren also banned the existing political
parties and their leaders, a trick General Musharraf has not missed out of his
repertoire either.
The Constitution of Turkey was also re-written to give the army an official role
in the governance of the state with the National Security Council having a
permanent trump card over government policy. So much so that when the Refah
Party tried to give the Muslims of Turkey the right to disseminate the teaching
of Islam in their schools, colleges, universities and in state employment the
NSC forced Refah out of office and eventually had it closed down.
In answering your questions what General Musharraf is
proposing to do is to follow the Kamalist model, a model that has left Turkey
with a national debt in the region of $150 billion dollars and Muslim men and
women in prisons because they choose to grow a beard or wear a
headscarf. General Musharraf must not be allowed to assume these powers; otherwise
the results will be not dissimilar to that which has happened in Turkey.
Basharat Ali
Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales
bash_law@hotmail.com
I
strongly condemned this decision. By introducing NSC Musharraf wants to have the
permanent role of Armed forces in Pakistan's politics, which will endanger the
Political system in the Country.
Irfan Ahmed.
Faisalabad
Yes, I am completely the formation of National Security Council.
Anum
Arshad
Saudi Arab
I fully support General Pervez Musharraf's move to establish the NSC.
Ahab
Minhas
Bahrain
All people on earth should be alarmed by the deforestation of the world's Rain
Forest. Extinction of many of the world's species and changes in our global
climate are the result of deforestation. If the current rate of deforestation is
not stopped, the world's rainforest WILL BE GONE. This will cause the
elimination of most of the plant and animal species on our planet.
General
Musharraf is doing the right things for the country. Most of those who are
opposing him are the corrupted politicians, their cronies and fifth columnists.
I
think that the National Security Council is a much needed institution for
ensuring a good government.
Muzafar
Hussain
USA
NSC is just another trick from the clown's cap of military head. It is just to
impose and facilitate and to so called constitutionalise an ever present
and ever resented act of military intervention in the country's governance. All
such so called reforms have one brain wave which is not really difficult to
depict: Dont quit the god gifted (god damned) power so blatantly snatched
in broad day light!
Bilal
W. Hashmi
Athens, Greece
I don't agree with NSC's proposition at all. Why one should take away powers
from elected representative of the people? If one really does so, then there
must be some reasons behind irrespective of the nature.
I
must admit that our political system is not perfect; it is crippling. Moreover,
it is really distressing to know that we don’t have real democracy functioning
in our country, even thought tall claims were made for it.
Thus,
sincere hands are needed to run the country towards right direction on the road
of real democracy.
Zia
USA
The
constitutional amendment which gave birth to the NSC will have an upper hand in
so-called elected government. It would do nothing but pave the way
for smooth running the affairs of the country by the sole dictator like Pervez
Musharraf. It would perpetuate the rule of the Military Government and
keep out the two political forces Benazir and Nawaz Sharif.
Mohammed
Ashfaque Koraal
Dhahran - Saudi Arabia
I think to some extent it will work as a firewall between elected parliament and
army ruler(s).
Mirza
Riaz Baig
Hyderabad Pakistan
I completely
agree with NSC.
Syed
.S. Naim
Windsor. Canada
I am unwelcome President
Musharraf’s current step to introduce national Security Council. I think national
Security Council has nothing to do with Pakistan's political system.
Ibrahim Peracha
Alexandria, USA
Speaking
truth, it is going to strengthen hold of the President or should I say the Army.
Mohammed
Hassanali
France
I
strongly favour the NSC proposal as it will have substantial impact. We don't
care what steps are being taken; we only care that the condition of the country
should improve and all culprits should be thrown out in to the deep sea. We are
fed up from so called politicians and other rulers as they have done nothing but
eaten the country.
M.A. Khan
New York
President
Musharraf looks saintly if the nation takes into account others
particularly his predecessors; their majesties couple prime ministers elected
twice. Hence, I think that NSC will be much helpful in improving our political
system. NSC will be a national institution instead of dynasty.
Aftab Alam Khan
Swat
I
do favour the idea of setting up a NSC. There is no real democracy functioning
without such a platform.
If
people thinks that military does not influence the foreign - policy of the USA
and western countries, I must say then that we are living in a fantasy world.
We do need to have some kind of check on the PM and his ministers in the future
in order to avoid the collapse of our democratic institutions.
Fakhar
Chowdhry
Sweden
I
think this is going to have substantial impact on governance.
Zulfiqar
Haider Banday
Islamabad
I
strongly oppose to national Security Council.
Badar Abbas
New York, USA
Instead of making NSC the supreme constitutional body, and efficient
system of National, Provincial and District government should be setup with
checks and balances between the president, the legislature and judiciary.
Pakistan of today needs a strong and efficient presidential form of government.
Umair
Javed
Tokyo, Japan
This is another way of strengthening Musharraf's dictatorship.
Khalid Butt, MD
New York, USA
I
think National Security Council is a step in the right direction.
+Muhammad Jaleel
London, UK
Totally wrong. Just to impose unselected rulers.
Abid
KSA
Yes it can do if the judicial system of Pakistan is upgraded to the level
where influential, high-up can be equally trailed and weaker ones could
get justice soon.
M F Jameel
Karachi Pakistan
It's totally one sided decision from President. And simply another way to strong
his hold on government. Because, he mentioned that the "President will not
be responsible to Security Council and can not be forced by any one". More
over it will become a monopoly in term of power.
Above
all, there is no way to keep President within limitations. President should be
elected by elections and elected one should not be from Army. Army is there to
defend the country not to rule the country.
This
is just another way in which Musharraf wants to deny the people of Pakistan
their right to self-governance.
First
he wants the "representatives of the people" to be graduates when more
than half of the population itself is illiterate. Then, he wants the parliament
and the prime minister to be constantly at his threat of dissolution and sacking
respectively. Moreover, to further avoid the elected parliament to have any
freedom of action, he wants "his" security council to keep a firm
check on its activities. Why do we,
the military, bureaucratic, feudal and "educated" lords of the people
of Pakistan.... think that we have an inherent right to hold the nation's
destiny in our hands?
Dr. Shahbaz Khan
Stamford, USA
The
National Security Council will only mean Army Security Council. And, Army alone
cannot run the country.
Raheela Ahmed
Hyderabad
I
will say just to the point that P. Musharraf is doing right things and let him
do because these changes are very important for our country's politics
Syed S.H. Rizvi
United Kingdom
According to my opinion, National Security Council was the dire need of the time
but I wonder why General Musharraf did not add Chief Justice of Supreme Court in
it.
The proposed constitutional amendment regarding the formation of National
Security Council may put check upon the unbridled power that the prime
minister enjoyed.
Our
country has been ruined and plundered mercilessly by the former all politicians.
They all were deplorably incompetent, corrupt, dishonest, narrow-minded, selfish
and mean. There must be constitutional provisions to keep them within limits. In
this regard, the National Security Council will be effective in stopping
politicians from plundering exchequer and oppressing the people.
Mukhtar Ali Naqvi
USA
There is no need of National Security Council, the elected prime minister should
assume his responsibility to do what is good for the country, and the
president should keep only a watchful eye on the affairs of our country. Who
knows an independent National Security Council may not be free of
corruption. When the president shouls be assigned the responsibility
to look after the security of the country, let him do this job.
Syed
A. Basith
Ontario, Canada
General Pervez Mushrraf is another face in series of Military dictators. He
wants to bring a system that suites his own personal desire to indefinitely rule
the poor nation by hook or crook.
The proposed constitutional amendments are specific to three persons Musharf,
Benazir and Nawaz Shareef. He wants to rule forever by eliminating two major
political forces Benazir and Shreef, who are deemed tobe the only possible
therat to his rule.
Tahir Ahmed
Mississauga, Canada
As far as National Security Council is concerned... we don't need one as we are
pretty much happy with the security provided to us by the three Armed forces....
At least, we have some trust and faith in them and we hope that they won't leave
us unattended when time comes.
Rizwan
Yahya
London, England
I
am in favour of having check on national and provincial assembly members,
ministers and prime minister. The national Security Council will lead to an
environment in assemblies where each and every member can play their roles
honestly and efficiently. It will reduce the chances of possible corruption.
Muhammad
Siddique
USA
yes
I support president Mr. Pervaiz Musharraf's opinion , I think it will stop
creating the circumstances of next Martial Law.
Haji
Muhammad
Karachi
It is simply another way of strengthening Musharaffs hold on the country. He is
fast on his way to becoming the worst fascist in the history of
Pakistan.
Khalid
England
I guess it won't make any
difference. By setting up a national security
council, a selective group of people would dictate and control the nation
rather the one individual as it was in the past. This time, a smaller share will
be available. We don't need councils or any other reforms; we really need honest
and loyal leaders to govern a fraudulence-free society.
Malik
Dawood
Toronto, Canada
It is right to setup a National security council.
Noman
Hussain
Toronto, Canada
So
far as setting up of the National Security Council is concerned, I am
totally in favour of that because i think it will prevent one individual
to be impulsive and change the law and order whenever he or she will feel like
it or to overthrow the government because he or she doesn’t get along with
prime minister for personnel reasons.
SHAKIL
GULBAGH
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
I
strongly support president of Pakistan and the whole country should welcome the
decisions. I do appreciate what efforts president making for Islamic State of
Pakistan.
Aamir Hasan
San Antonio TX
USA
Yes,
it is better than giving the president the power to fire the entire elected body
at his discretion.
Nafees Mahmood
Lees Summit, MO 64063
I fully endorse the proposed National Security Council (NSC) as this will be the
step in right direction. It will provide all the power brokers of the
country one forum and as such institutionalize it.
Muhammad
Athar
Dubai, UAE
I fully buy this idea of having Security Council to keep check on democracy.
Kamran
A. Malik
Islamabad, Pakistan
The
role of security council to overlook the performance of elected legislature
may be justified for a
limited time in Pakistan because of the special situation and circumstances of
our country. But, president of Pakistan
must be an elected person not a sitting chief of army staff.
And,
there should be no member from military and jury should be made
independent and chief justices should be the members of council. No
member of security council can work independently under the shades of guns.
President must abide by the decisions of council.
Dr.
M. TARIQ SHAIKH
SAUDI ARABIA
It
seems to be an ideal decision to establish a National Security Council in
Pakistan to improve current political system. But, General Pervez Musharaf
has declared himself President of Pakistan for the next five years after
a result of controversial referendum.
All
Major Pakistani's political parties were not participated in the referendum
while International Media also did not fully agree with its result. How can you
trust opposing National Security Council is just forming to build to improve
National Political System.
My
point is that we have to monitor deeply what Gen Musharaf is doing instead of
listing what he is saying. Because, we have very bad experience from the leader
we had in past few decades and Pakistan cannot afford any thing wrong anymore.
At
this time, we are receiving every good thing about the Gen government but when
he will leave then Pakistanis will know what he did to the country. If he is
establishing the National Security council with full support of major
Pakistani's political parties then It is fine, otherwise he should hold another
referendum on this issue as this is more important about his existence in
the government. If he can't do that then I would suggest he should keep a
representative from three major political parties in the National Security
Council and these parties should be those who get higher voted in coming
election.
Syed
Hamid Akhter Bari
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
As
I see the proposed National Security Council ( NSC) shall basically serve two
purposes, viz to provide
protection to fragile democracy during the
infantry period and other one is to provide a protection and stabilize the upper
hand role of military in running the affairs of the country.
N.M.
ABBASI
LUSAKA/ZAMBIA
There was no need to set up National Security Council on the top of every thing in
the country, as security issues concerning the country can be handled alone by
the three Armed Forces of Pakistan. At the end of the day, the proposed National
Security Council by the President Pervez Musharraf will grow to be an
additional burden on the national ex-chequer.
The National Security Council has nothing to do with the improvement of Pakistan's political system. And, If we want to really improve the political system in the country, we should give a smoothed passage to the democracy to go on the sustained basis, and democracy will only flourish, if we allow every body in the country to participate in enhancing the political process.
What one can expect from the leader of the opposition if he or she becomes the member of the National Security Council to do, except that he or she will keep on murmuring in the ears of National Security Council to sack the serving Prime Minister. The role of opposition leaders in the past was not constructive, as they failed to deliver the positive aspects during their tenure in the assemblies. In the past debates in assemblies, it used to look like the fish markets. Instead of ehancing the efficiency of the past legislators, opposition leaders in the assemblies kept themselves busy just for nothing.
Similarly, the role of National Security Council in improving Pakistan's political system may take a long time to understand things, as majority of its members would be non-political people, and by then, the reduced tenure of the future government would be quite near to its completion.
What I can foresee from the present political scenario and the decisions taken by the government till to date and the judgment which is upheld by the Supreme Court, that there is no future of the past legislators in the country, who had been playing a positive role in enhancing the country's image, except the few who were involved in corruption and in self-projection.
Despite of all this, the President of Pakistan now is fully empowered to take any decision about the county's future political setup, but it would have been more appropriate if the selfless candidates, who are non-graduates, would have also been provided the chance in contributing their efforts towards the national development. Keeping aside the past experienced legislators, just due to the reasons that they do not posses a required piece of paper to be called as a graduate, is not a wise step, as there is no substitute of an experience.
One can foresee what experience most of the future graduates legislators would be having when they will step-in in the assemblies. It will take a very long time for them to understand things and modus operandi of assemblies. So the process of improving the political system should not be ceased and every one of us whoever is interested in serving the country, should be provided a chance to contest in the forth-coming general elections.
Speaking of the National
Security Council, it is essential for a society such as Pakistan which is mainly
compiled of corrupt people.
Mian
Aziz
Canada
I support him and the whole country should welcome the decisions.