Brij Bhardwaj
India and Pakistan became free at the same time, but current state of Pakistan clearly shows how mismanagement can make a difference to development of a country . During this period Pakistan has come under the Army rule four times. To start with General Ayub Khan took over the command of Pakistan and ruled for two terms before he was ousted. He survived a challenge by the sister of Pakistan’s founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who contested against him but was defeated in a rigged poll.
Other military rulers also did not have a good record. Under the rule of one General, former Pakistan Prime Minister Z.A Bhutto was hanged on a trumped up charge, while under the rule of another, the Prime Ministerial candidate was killed in a bomb explosion. General Zia who acted against Bhutto was also killed in a plane crash along with U.S Ambassador to Pakistan. From all accounts the plane crash was an act of sabotage as the cockpit of the plane was blown off thanks to a last minute mango box brought in.
Under the stewardship of another Army General, Pakistan was divided into two, because the General was not willing to accept the result of the polls in which leader of East Pakistan won a majority. Result was that a new nation, Bangladesh, was born dividing East and West Pakistan. In light of what has happened in the past, it was no surprise that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was so reluctant to accept the fact that he has lost majority in national Assembly and could not continue to rule.
He tried all tricks in the book. First he started talk about foreign intervention to de-throne him because he was following an independent foreign policy. He went on to call his opponents traitors. In the Assembly he got the vote postponed on one plea or the other and finally prevailed upon the Deputy Speaker to reject the no confidence motion which he called foreign inspired. To complete the story on plea by Cabinet headed by Imran Khan President dissolved the Assembly and gave call for fresh elections.
Thanks to the intervention of Pakistan top court this did not work as Assembly did meet and adopted no-confidence motion. A new Government has taken over in Pakistan but verdict is yet to be accepted by Imran Khan. His supporters, including former Speaker and Deputy Speaker have resigned. President of Pakistan to avoid swearing in of new Prime Minister went on holiday. But a new Government with new Prime Minister has taken over.
Compare this with happenings in India. A smooth change over after emergency when Congress party was defeated including Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Janata Party Government headed by Morarji Desai took over. Imagine popular Government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee was .ousted when the vote of no confidence was adopted with majority of one. The verdict was honoured. There has never been any question of not accepting verdict of voting in Lok Sabha or in election held to elect a new Government.
Yet another story behind it is real reason for fall of the Imran Khan Government is that army has become neutral which encouraged opposition parties in Pakistan to come together and move vote of no confidence. In this context it may be mentioned that Imran Khan had come to power in a poll in which he received good help from Pakistan ISI chief General Hameed. He did not get majority on his own but formed Government with help of some friendly parties..
He not only lost support of his allies but also many members of his own party. In a house where 172 is needed for majority only hundred members have followed him in the trial of strength. But no one expects him to accept the verdict and he will continue to work to topple the new Government with help of his supporters. including Pakistan President.
Yet another story is that Mr Imran Khan and Gen Bajwa, Pakistan Army Chief had developed differences when ISI chief was shifted and a new one appointed. In last minute attempt Imran Khan tried to remove Gen Bajwa as Army Chief but bureaucracy did not oblige. General Hameed former ISI chief was an Imran supporter and was hoping to become Army Chief when Gen Bajwa present chief retires. However, the present chief who has already served for two terms wanted a third term. Final word on Pakistan story is yet to be written.
In the meantime Pakistan is facing tough times as economy is in bad shape. It is dependent on hand outs from Saudi Arabia and China. Pakistan rupee which was equivalent to Indian rupee is now trading at 190 to U.S dollar.
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