Benazir and Nawaz cannot resolve Pakistan's turmoil
It comes as part of a disturbing elevation in the cycle of violence between government forces and popular militants groups that are assisting the Taliban in its battle to liberate Afghanistan from occupation forces. While these clashes had been restricted to the tribal areas, they are now spreading into the major cities such as Rawalpindi.
Musharraf's pursuit of America's war on terror may have earned his military billions of dollars in aid, but the cost to the Pakistan cannot be measured in monetary terms. Pakistan is now a fractured nation heading towards disintegration with society polarised by the clash between rising popular Islamic movements and a die hard secular elite comprising of land owners, business leaders and military personnel.
The unpopularity of Musharraf and the politicised role of the military had become a serious problem for America and the West due to the existence of a political vacuum in the country. This posed a potential danger to the status quo in the event that Musharraf's regime should fall and open the door for Islamic parties to seize power.
This is why America and Britain organised the return of Benazir Bhutto in order to bolster the secular political class in the wake of an Islamic challenge. However, both Benazir and Nawaz, who returned to Pakistan on Sunday following Musharraf ‘s trip to Saudi Arabia, far from being the saviours of Pakistan, represent a return to the failed democratic politics of the past which has brought nothing but misery and stagnation to Pakistan. Both leaders have been charged with corruption and have a track record of putting the interests of America ahead of that of the nation.
Benazir's last government was arguably the most corrupt in Pakistan's history with billions of dollars of public funds embezzled by her family and cronies. Likewise, Nawas Sheriff's withdrawal of Pakistani forces from the Kargil heights after the intervention of President Clinton was a betrayal of the Muslims of Kashmir and India as it facilitated the re-election of the fascist, Vajpay BJP government.
Consequently, both leaders have nothing to offer Pakistan but their track record of treachery, corruption and cronyist politics. More importantly, the situation in Pakistan and the world has changed drastically necessitating a new type of governance characterised by strength and conviction and an ideology that can bring about a national reconciliation. The type of divisive politics that Benazir and Nawaz offer belongs in the past and could only weaken Pakistan even further.
Islam and its Shariah are inseparable from Pakistan and the rise of political Islam is nothing more than a natural expression of the will of the nation. However, through western interference and the treachery of the secular ruling elite, Pakistan is not being allowed to develop its own political identity, which will only lead to further instability and violence. Today, Pakistan must release herself from the shackles of stagnation and subservience to the West and bring in a new dawn of Islam through the establishment of the Khilafah on the method of the Khulafa Rashideen. Such a Khilafah will be characterised by the high moral standards of Islam and an accountable leadership that will respect the independence of the judiciary. Most importantly, the Khilafah will implement policies internally and externally based upon the interests of its citizens and Islam and not upon those of foreign powers.
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