For Christians Musharraf’s resignation is a “positive change”
“Now a [political] discussion will be possible. Sacked judges will be restored and the coalition government will be able to better tackle the country’s problems,” the NCJP secretary said. “But the government will bear greater responsibilities since it now has all the power.”
In his last speech as president, Musharraf defended his record saying that he did all that was necessary to make Pakistan a prosperous and democratic country. He said that he organised free and fair elections and that he left his post as head of the army (which he held alongside the presidency).
He said that charges against him were baseless and “fabricated” but was aware that his relationship to the government had deteriorated. Thus he resigned out of love for country and in order to end the ongoing confrontation. Lastly he asked the people to forgive him for his errors as a human being.
Charges against Musharraf have not been made public but according to media reports they include the 1999 military coup that overthrew Nawaz Sharif, the two suspensions of the constitution and the assault against the judiciary on 9 March and 3 November 2007. He is also accused of failing to consult parliament, awarding funds to the provinces without parliamentary involvement, military operations in Balochistan and the target killing of local Balochi leader Nawab Akbar Bugti as well as the operation against the Red Mosque (Lal Masjid) and other military operations.
Still most observers believe that his resignation follows a deal with the government.
For Jacob however Musharraf’s farewell speech in which the former general said he made elections freer and fairer for minorities (previously minority voters could only cast their vote for candidates from their own community) failed to acknowledge that free elections were achieved only after a long battle by civil society and rights activists against the long-standing opposition of Musharraf’s government.
As for the danger posed by fundamentalism the NCJP secretary believes that the current government has “ministers with good experience” who can tackle the country’s problems.
Even though Nawaz Sharif, head of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) is linked to extremist religious groups and is in favour of the introduction of Islamic law, opinions about him are positive.
“All this is part of the past,” said Jacob. “Now the PML-N is more responsible because it is not in power alone but has to share it with liberal parties.” and other coalitions are currently impossible.
For this reason Jacob is optimistic that despite the strength of Islamic extremism politics will not be conditioned by religious factors and that minorities will have a voice in Pakistani society, including Christians. Until now that was difficult because of the confrontation between Musharraf and the government.
Jacob hopes that minorities can play a more active role in government and that their political rights will be recognised.
He also said that he intended to “meet every minister to discuss problems affecting minorities.”
“In short,” he added, “minorities have to articulate their issues with great care.”
Over the next two or three months constitutional reforms should recognise the country’s religious diversity and that “Pakistan is a nation of more than one religion.”
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15/11/2007
