Trying Musharraf (II)

We can all criticise Gen (retd) Musharaf’s rule, his decisions but we should also assess performance of PPP and PML-N.

ISLAMABAD: The article is spot on. Our problem as a nation is that the educated, the so-called literate and affluent class, give their views but without rationality. It is good to criticise, but when one does that, then one also has to have a comparative standard. We can all go on criticising General (retd) Musharaf’s rule and his decisions but we should also assess the performance of the PPP and PML-N governments and what they may have done had they been in the position that the former president was in and whether they would have done a better job in those circumstances.

Looking at the pre-Musharraf performances of the PPP and PML-N governments in the past and after his ouster, on no front have they shown that they have the capacity, capability, comprehension, and most of all, the will (the most important factor) to do what it takes to run a successful economy.

I agree that running an economy is a very complicated matter, but at the same time, the simple thing for the present time is not merely having the right finance minister or the right political strength to make difficult decisions; it is the will to devise the right strategy where the three core areas, i.e., politics, diplomacy and economics, are used in a manner that they collectively create the right synergy to achieve the desired objective: strengthening the country, economic growth and sustainable prosperity of the people. General (retd) Musharraf attained all these goals by creating and using opportunities for the country despite the mistakes that he certainly did make like all leaders do. Our so-called political/democratic saviours/leaders have never attained such highs as I believe that they do not have the capacity or understanding to attain them. This is because of the lack of will that they possess.

Abid Kitchlew

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th,  2014.

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