Go Musharraf and let us have democracy

To:  Head of Governments & Head of States

General Musharraf on, 12th October 1999, has usurped power in a coup against the civil government. The aforementioned action was extra-constitutional, which was though not appreciated but reluctantly accepted by people of Pakistan for time being with this hope that Gen. Musharraf would hold free and fair election and reinstate democracy within the time frame of 3 years as given by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Following his predecessors military rulers, he extended his rule by holding infamous referendum and proclaiming himself as the elected president. In elections 2002, his political stooges and sycophants could not get a simple majority to form a government even after rigging the elections, so he threatened and offered political inducements to the elected parliamentarians of other political parties in order to form the government of his choice. These ugly politics worked well and he eventually succeeded in forming a tamed government. The motive of all these extra-constitutional actions and politically maneuvering were to serve his vested interests and to keep the highest political post of President and military post of chief of the army staff, simultaneously. In 2002, he did not call the first session of the national assemble till the time he was assured that the notorious 17th amendment would be passed by the parliament. In order to achieve his self-serving mission, he played an ugly game not only with political alliance MMA but also with the whole nation by making a false pledge that he would shed his uniform on 31 December, 2004, which he had not fulfilled till today. Once again on the 3rd of November 2007, when he felt that power might go away from him, he has made a second coup and imposed Martial Law without any genuine grounds under the shadow of emergency. To keep the highest political office of president, he once again with the help of army generals derailed the process of democracy, which should not be despised but must be condemned, strongly.

This time, he committed a despicable crime by attacking the supremacy, integrity and independence of judiciary, which they were showing first time in the history of Pakistan. He tried to undermine their independence and integrity by accusing them that they were taking decisions in the favor of terrorist. Like 9th March 2007, once again he openly attacked on the independence of judiciary by changing the Chief Justice and removing senior judges who refused to accept his new Provision Constitutional Order. In his speech, he charged them for interfering in the matters of the executives and encouraging terrorist, which is completely absurd accusation.

The fact is that his poor leadership, ugly political tactics and poor policies have increased number of bomb blasts, enhanced frustration and alienation among people, and weaken integration of the federation - not the judicial decisions. Undoubtedly, he attacked on the judiciary because, in the hindsight, he got scared that the Supreme Court of Pakistan might declare recent presidential elections null and void and not allow him to contest presidential election for the next two years. Hence, he imposed emergency or martial law before the announcement of the decision of the Supreme Court. It is a fact that if the Supreme Court had barred him from contesting presidential election, it would have been accordance with the country’s constitution in which it is clearly stated that public servants during service cannot participate in politics. It is evident from his midnight speech on 4th November, 2004 that he is perturbed on the Supreme Court decisions that have gone or will go against him and his corrupt acolytes, therefore, he has now initiated media trial against the judiciary.

The recent proclamation of Martial Law and suspension of 1973 constitution shows that he is power hungry and can go up to any extent to keep it. He does not have any respect for any institution that takes a stand against his rule. Musharraf is a self proclaimed hero who has never won any war - neither as a solider nor as a president. As a solider he miserably failed in Kargil and as a political leader he failed in integrating the nation.

For the sake of country existence, provincial integration, democracy, independence of the judiciary and other institutions, we must strongly demand that Gen. Musharraf must step down as President and Chief of the Army Staff forthwith and immediately announce interim government that holds free and fair elections within three months.

Please sign this petition to support that we all want genuine (not controlled) democracy in Pakistan and disallow any army role in the national politics.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Go Musharraf and let us have democracy Petition to Head of Governments & Head of States was created by and written by Nadeem Yousaf (info@pwfpak.org).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.