Pakistan

President slams MQM chief's pro-martial law statement

President Zardari disapproved Altaf Hussain's pro-martial law statement and said only democracy can work.

Express August 24, 2010

Reacting to MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s support to martial law to weed out corrupt politicians and feudal lords, President Asif Ali Zardari said no one in his right mind will want to take this responsibility and that only democracy can carry this yoke.

In an interview to Western journalists, Zardari denied that the country's worst humanitarian disaster would impair the military's fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked militants, conducted under US pressure in the northwest.

The president called on Washington to make more efforts to win over hearts and minds from entrenched anti-Americanism, such as by reducing tariffs on cotton exports.

Zardari denied that the country's worst humanitarian disaster would impair the military's fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked militants.

COMMENTS (20)

Ashfaq Abbasi | 14 years ago | Reply Starting from a Former Ally of MQM, General Pervez Musharraf, This dictator and his close aides look at Akbar Bugti’s demise as the removal of a major obstacle in the implementation of their Balochistan agenda; he has vowed to continue the operation against other ‘miscreants’ in the south-western ...province. A section of the establishment in Islamabad who are seen rejoicing over the regime’s “success” in Balochistan are as much unmindful of the likely consequences of this incident and this policy as were their predecessors in 1971. But many in the ruling camp consider themselves fortunate enough for not having been assigned the responsibility of publicly justifying the murderous assault of the veteran politician of Balochistan. It is true that we need to get rid from feudal lords and the filthy rich (money through corrupt practices). As far as giving a call for any type of Martial Law, perhaps technocrats are in mind will be counter-productive.

shujaat | 14 years ago | Reply it is actualy very disturbing for poor silent majority in pakistan those who are now looking forward for a savior who so ever come for a rescue, the supreme court seems helpless, no matter what you do in this constitution no one can bring the culprits to justice you need a dictator an honest patriotic one belive me they will all bring looted wealth in matter of seconnds and bring immediate land reforms for thier corruption the poor public is suffering since 62 years no one

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Ghafar Ali | 14 years ago | Reply I think the present circumstance common man will not protest if army took any step to pack up the current government. Though the idea of martial law is a bad one but the present rulers have proved themselves worst than the military rulers. No respite and no relief to the people except daily bombardment of hike electricity tarrif, gas, petrol and daily use items. Only the rulers are emjoying luxurious life at the expense of the common man.

yousaf | 14 years ago | Reply "Save your fingers"--- a word of advise for David Camaroon--What a shame-- Pakistan produces such characters in Democracy.

Sharif Lone | 14 years ago | Reply I agree Pakistani, the electorate does not work perfectly, but dictatorship is far worse. ZA Buhtto was hanged, BB was killed, her brothers got killed. Nawaz was imprisoned and then disbanded. Why is it only civilians get this treatment. Musharaf is living nicely in UK or wherever. You say you are not an MQM activist. Whatever that means. I do not want to know. We discuss the merits and weaknesses of rule of law. Power corrupts, I agree but absolute power corrupts much more. Musharaf was liberal. We could get another Zia and then it is good night Pakistan. Good bye now that is my last post

Pakistani | 14 years ago | Reply @Sharif Lone, I think we both have a fair bit of idea how the 'electorate' works in Pakistan. The vote bank is 'ruled' by jageerdars and waderas and the illiterate poor population has no other option but to vote for them. Our nation is an illiterate nation, and we have to accept that. An Example, Zardari spent millions of dollars on his jolly family trip to europe, where did the democracy die then? why did the democrat parliament not convey the message of their faithful voters? simply cuz. they know whatever happens, they can trust their pet horses (or donkeys should i say) with blinders on their eye making them unidirectional. We do NOT deserve democracy. Democracy is for people with a will power - with morality - for people who care and want to make a difference, unlike hypocrites like us, who have a tendency to hop between two sweet group of corrupt rulers, with some intersection juggling every now n then. P.S. I am not an MQM activist but I try supporting enlightenment and reality - whatever the source may be.

Sharif Lone | 14 years ago | Reply Pakistani, I do not have this mentality. I have many Urdu speaking friends and admire their manners. What I said was that many of MQM support army rule. I was wondering what the reason for that is. Now you say, WE brought Zardari back Who is we? The electorate voted for these people and only the electorate can change them. We have had army rule led by 'middle class' dictators. They had all the powers and did not change anything. No land reforms, no honesty. If asking a question looks funny to you, an order from a dictator would be more suited to you. Right?

Mazhar Aziz | 14 years ago | Reply Altaf Bhai em also with u? but start from Karachi.

FAS | 14 years ago | Reply Kindly note that the country is in flood the saddar is sleeping,people are dieing saddar is sleeping, no food no drinking water,no medicin, no shelter,no sehri no iftari and saddar is sleeping, target killing in kaachi innocent peoples are killing shopes,truck,home are lit in fire saddar is sleeping,high level inflation and saddar is sleeping BUT yes when the metter is about "KURSI" his Govt. he gets up and fight WAH wah wah wah wah bhi ye hoi ne SEYASAT SUNO SAB KI KARO MAN KI.

Pakistani | 14 years ago | Reply @Sharif Lone : "They both came from across the border. Is that the reason for loving them?" That sounds really funny actually - and explains the mentality of a fair portion of our population. 63 years have passed by, and people like you still differentiate people based on their 'across the border origin'. As far as the issue of democracy vs dictatorship is concerned, we do have a habit of forgetting things quickly. We wanted democracy, and we brought zardari in. Now we are fed up of him, so we want Nawaz back? Or do we have other options? Oh hold on, did not we get fed up of Nawaz - just a while ago? 10 years is not a period long enough to wipe our memories off.

hakeem | 14 years ago | Reply If nothing has changed since Musharaf than nothing has also changed to negative. @Sheharyar...you are advocating martial law as if its first time going to happen in pakistan, cant you wait for just three more years before change occurs.

Sharif Lone | 14 years ago | Reply I know many MQM people who support army rule. I have a feeling Musharaf was their hero. I do not like many things with civilian leaders, but if anybody supports one man rule to rule of law, he needs some lessons in politics. I like the secular character of MQM, but this love of one man rule and that too for an indefinite period, is plain shameful. Zia is responsible for making the country a place for terrorists in the name of Islam. They both came from across the border. Is that the reason for loving them?

Shabbir | 14 years ago | Reply Democracy can only work in educated society. Pakistan needs a dictator who is honest and patriotic. I just pray by some miracle some one will take command and put pakistan back on economic track. Altaf hussain is right we need a martial law till our society becomes educated.

parvez | 14 years ago | Reply Altaf is brilliant, every now and then he comes up with "gems" such as this. Now some flunky of the ruling party will dash to London town and soothe matters. If looked at dispassionately his utterance does have some truth in it and 'sound bites' like this resonate well with the masses.

Mohammad naeem | 14 years ago | Reply Best dictatorship cant substitute Worst democracy. Bet it There is something fishy in mqm leaders intentions.

Aftab Kenneth Wilson | 14 years ago | Reply Well well, read a report published in Dawn News paper dated 22 August 2010, page 14. A meeting between USA diplomat in Pakistan Mr. Hunt and Mr. Altaf Hussain in London. Now what to extract from this is for our Think Tanks to ponder upon. Apart from what appeared in the news paper, it is equally true that we need to get rid from feudal lords and the filthy rich (money through corrupt practices). As far as giving a call for any type of Martial Law, perhaps technocrats is in mind will be counter productive. Let the population face the present lot and hope for better if not the best in next elections. Elections upon elections can only bring change. We have already tried all brands of governance.

imran | 14 years ago | Reply its not only corrupt politicians that the military should root out...as a karachiit let it start fm karachi and also root out target killing....

Tanzeel | 14 years ago | Reply Altaf has simply said that honest generals should step forward and initiate “Martial Law like steps” to fix feudal and corrupt politicians. Now whoever is involved in wrongdoings would naturally react to his demand.

Asim | 14 years ago | Reply I support Altaf on this one.

Shahryar Ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply Yes, ofcourse democracy only works for people like him & Nawaz & other politicians. If the Army comes, how would they make their living? The people of Pakistan can see how democracy is working.........Its working great for them but not so great for the people of Pakistan. These so called leaders are so democratic that they all are life time chairmen/Chairperson of their respective parties. Are question to them should be, that if they are advocating democracy, why not do they have elections in their own parties? Democratic parties & leaders my ..., these people are only corrupt & incompetent hypocrites. These are not democratic leaders but dynastical tyrants.

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