Fire brigade or the triple-one?

KARACHI: This is with reference to Lt-Gen (retd) Asad Durrani’s article “Fire brigade or the triple-one! ” (September 3). I am convinced that the army would never have stepped into Pakistani politics had the civilian dispensation been strong and principle-centered. Not only were the generals ambitious, the politicians were equally eager to seek their support against their adversaries. Every military takeover has been initially welcomed by the general public and a significant section of the political leadership. It is also a fact that the initial period of military rule in Pakistan has been much better than its civilian counterparts.

Accountability is the cornerstone of democracy which our politicians have conveniently chosen to forget. Each such regime has ruled according to its will and keeping in mind only its own vested interest. In Pakistan, ordinary people have yet to see the positives of democracy, since it has never been practiced in its true letter and spirit. We should not be surprised that we have been hearing intermittent SOS calls to patriotic generals throughout our history.

Sharjeel Jawaid

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2010.