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| 1,300 Pak women prisoners' journey home | | Musharraf's move little more than lip service | | From B L KAK
NEW DELHI: Gen. Parvez Musharraf's move culminating in the freedom of as many as 1,300 women prisoners has sparked public debate in Pakistan. Gen. Musharraf's purpose seems to be meant to herald a new era for Pakistan.
However, some Pakistan-watchers are of the view that this measure yet again promises to be little more than lip service in a country where the government's administration has weakened, the law enforcing mechanisms, including the lower courts, are reputedly corrupt, and like so many other areas of progress, here too, improvements in the lives of a few women have failed to trickle down to the majority.
On more than one occasion in recent times, Gen. Musharraf has b een found very keen to leave no opportunity to highlight his reformist credentials. In a meeting with some of Pakistan's most prominent women this July 7, Pakistan President vowed once again to promote the protection of women. Some of those present in that gathering for long have questioned Pakistan's hudood laws, which have taken such controversial positions as the extent to which evidence given by a woman can be equated to that given by a man in a court of law.
At a time when Gen. Musharraf has responded to an emotive issue for many Pakistani women, the women being released were just not allowed access to bail and, therefore, had no choice but to languish in jail. But making cases under hudood subject to be being bailable is indeed one cornerstone in an otherwise difficult journey. Faran Bokhari, Pakistan-based political commentator, has epitomised the scenario in these words: "Men or women, Pakistan's justice system is built upon many injustices for all. A visit to a police station even for minute offences such as a traffic accident is a revealing experience. Those seeking justice in such a potentially precarious situation must begin by greasing a palm or two at the police station. Those locked in litigation know the difficult realities they face across Pakistan's legal system where delays are common".
Bokhari adds: "To sum up, the latest relief given to women may not count for much beyond just tackling the tip of the iceberg, at best. The plight of Pakistani women to a large extent cannot be detached from the plight of all Pakistanis living below middle class level, where access to justice can just not be taken for granted". And Bokhari's challenge to the present Pak ruler: "As for the renewal of Musharraf's promise to improve protection of women, he would be well advised to carefully review his own track record, which has only undermined Pakistan's politics and contributed to the further decay of a set of already decayed institutions".
Pakistan was the world's most perfectly run country before the General seized power. But the debate surrounding the status of women has to consider two equally relevant points. One, a military dominated state of the kind that Pakistan has become, driven by the adhocism of a single ruler, cannot ever embark upon the goal of political consolidation through stability of a parliamentary system of government. Unless Pakistan's parliamentary structure is built up beyond its present position of being dominated by a single figure, the idea of consensus through national representation will never gather momentum.
Second, Gen. Musharraf has not only had enough time to reform Pakistan. More importantly, he has broken his promises of taking his country towards a new era of reform. An illustrative lesson towards this end comes from a historical speech based on seven points dedicated towards reforming Pakistan, delivered by him, just months after seizing power. All those promises have been broken. Besides, Gen. Musharraf also appears determined to stay on in power, having once broken his promise of retiring from the powerful military and continuing only as a civilian leader.
The women released from prison are bound to celebrate their long delayed freedom. But the occasion must work as a powerful reminder of the long delayed freedom of personal and political choice that must have been given to Pakistanis as a matter of right. Instead, that freedom has been denied to them, notwithstanding claims from the government pointing towards Pakistan being a fully democratic country despite the military's dominance.
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