At long last, perhaps, the widely anticipated revolution has finally arrived if Pervez Musharraf’s January 12 speech is taken as a crystal ball to gaze into the future of Pakistan. Embodied in the words delivered to the people is an ambitious agenda that would substantially transform the country from its present medieval cast to a modern democratic state. The vision articulated is one of fundamental changes in the social, economic and political culture where the ideals of Quaid-i-Azam would finally be implemented.
One would wish the Chief Executive lots of luck in carrying out his bold initiative. Adrift for most of fifty years Pakistan became a country ravaged by warlords of various sorts. Mafia style fiefdoms sprang-up with the “boss” being the notorious landowner, the corrupt bureaucrat, the conniving politician, the fire-breathing mullah or the gun-totting urban thug exercising power through threat and intimidation. Life became hellish for the majority of the seventy-percent who live in the countryside and not much better for many urban dwellers.
For these downtrodden Musharraf emerged at the right moment and represents their last best hope for a peaceful revolution. They would have supported a jihad of the Taliban type, a blood drenched change, and plunged the country into the dark ages. Beholden to the religious schools for the education of their children rural dwellers would have supported the mullahs to the hilt.
But Musharraf’s bold action, coupled with his earlier initiatives, has undoubtedly averted a bloody revolution. The idea of revolution is not actually an alien concept for the Pakistanis. It was a slogan used during the struggle for independence. That was almost half a century ago and Jinnah’s promise of Pakistan as a “modern welfare state” based on the principles of Islam never materialized.
Reversing the years of decay will take a determined leadership dedicated to turning the country around. Fortunately for the General vast majority of the millions are behind him. The damage inflicted during the democratic regimes of the last two disgraced Prime Ministers has to be squarely faced. The $15 billion in capital flight and $37 billion in debt will make the country’s economic recovery difficult.
Economy has to be the top priority with an open and free market as the immediate goal. If Pakistan had a strong economy many of its problems would be automatically solved. The basic task is to generate wealth to strengthen the foundation of the nation, to propel the country forward and to provide relief from the enormous debt.
The magic of employment with regular paychecks discourages mischief, brings about changes in values and serves as an incentive to plan for the future. When everyone is busy making mortgage-payments there is less likelihood of social instability. Buying power is a much more pleasant diversion than protest marches and street riots.
No revolution can gain momentum without the strengthening of the educational infrastructure. Knowledge is the fuel that drives the engine of industrial activity and contributes to economic growth. Sooner, rather than later, the country has to deliver world-class education to its citizens, making them productive and competitive in the globalized world economy.
A comprehensive system of schools can serve as the avenue for civilizing the unruly population of Pakistan. There is no other way for the multitude of illiterates to learn how to behave, to acquire the norms of the society, and to know what is acceptable and what is not. The widespread lawlessness is due largely to the absence of social learning.
Every successful revolution has made education the centerpiece of change needed in the society. Through schooling national integration could be enhanced, an economy built, civic virtues taught and learning rekindled that was the hallmark of the Islamic civilization.
Musharraf had the foresight to seize the moment that came his way. If he follows in the footsteps of Iqbal and Jinnah to realize their ideals a prosperous, strong and powerful country would emerge. For his bloodless revolution Musharraf might even be seen as the Abraham Lincoln of Pakistan, the man who saved the republic.