The Hindu : Pak. Govt. approach to polls under attack

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 19, 2002

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National

Pak. Govt. approach to polls under attack

By K.K. Katyal

NEW DELHI AUG. 18. Just when the Musharraf Government accuses India of organising "farcical'' elections in Jammu and Kashmir, it faces sharp criticism from within the country and from abroad for the manner in which it is preparing to hold the parliamentary elections. As for the Government's campaign against religious extremists operating internally, the reaction in Pakistan is mixed — one section is not happy with the Government "acting at the behest of the Americans'', while the others find fault with it for not making serious efforts to implement its declared policy. This second viewpoint, according to observers here, confirms the charge of "double standards'' levelled against Islamabad by India.

The attitude to Government in regard to the conduct of the parliamentary elections is amply reflected by the print media. Dawn, to cite an instance, is not impressed by Gen. Pervez Musharraf's assurances. In its editorial comment today, it says "One hopes that the `genuine democracy' which the President has spoken of repeatedly does not turn out to be a cover for a manipulated exercise intended to produce `preferred' results. We sound this cautionary note in view of Pakistan's bitter experience of similar experiments in the past.'' Certain forebodings, according to it, are worrying.

"The changes in laws relating to political parties, the ban on a third term for a Prime Minister, the almost certain revival of Article 58(2-b) and a constitutional role for the armed forces through the proposed National Security Council — all these create serious doubts about the kind of dispensation that will emerge after October.''

The European Union observation team, now in Pakistan to watch the electoral process, ran into a rough patch, as the Information Minister, Nisar Memon, accused it of interfering in Pakistan's internal affairs and the Chief Election Commissioner, Irshad Hasan Khan, said the EU should confine itself to observing the poll and not oversee the entire election process, which was the job of the Election Commission. The head of the team, John Cushnahan, Irish member of the European Parliament, maintained that his mission would follow established procedures when assessing voter registration, independence of the election administration, the constitutional and legal framework, media access, abuses of State resources and freedom to campaign.

On the campaign against religious extremists, a leading commentator, Shahid Sheik, has this to say: "The absence of action in this area raises questions about the Government's intent and has a direct bearing on the assurances that Pakistan has extended regarding the State's ability to control the militants, internally and externally. This manifests itself in a divergence between the stated policy and its implementation, resulting in the seeming reluctance of those charged with implementing anti-terrorist measures to apply the full force of the State to apprehend the wanted elements. Considering the serious threats posed to internal peace and stability by the forces of terrorism and extremism, it is strange that action against militant groups and elements should be slow and hesitant.''

The other section — the biggest one — is, however, unhappy with the Government for following a week-kneed approach and proceeding against Jehadi organisations under Anglo-U.S. pressure. They regard the support by Washington and London to the Assembly elections in Kashmir a big conspiracy. Reflecting this opinion, Jang, in a longish editorial, makes a case for scuttling the "electoral stunt.'' It pleads for material help to the Jehad in Kashmir, apart from the moral, political and diplomatic assistance.

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