Words Worth Remembering -Ahmed Faruqui

Those supporting a return to military rule are wrong on five counts:

— Just because past politicians have failed to deliver political stability and economic progress does not mean that all future politicians will fail. Democratic processes, when they are allowed to function without military interference, do ultimately produce strong civilian institutions and competent rulers.

— Feudalism is not a barrier to democracy. If that was true, no country would be a democracy today since all were feudal at one point. The empowerment of the people brings an end to feudalism.

— Being Muslim does not equate to being anti-democratic. Indonesia, Malaysia, Mali and Turkey are democratic countries.

— The Indian example shows clearly that ‘strong men’ are not a precondition for democracy and slays the myth that law and order, education, and economic development have to precede democracy.

— Military rule is not necessary to hold a multi-ethnic state together. Indeed, half of Pakistan was lost due to the excesses of its military rulers.