Shedding Uniform - Musharraf Style.

Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf shed his military uniform, put on the majestic Civilian clothes and sworn in as a Civilian President for a second five-year term. Could this be later extended to life-term? The U.S Secretary of state described this as “a good first step”, and waiting for the second step, that of “lifting the Emergency”. That Intended to be lifted on December 16^th. The international community is “Half Happy” so to say.

But the person, inside the Uniform earlier and in Civilian clothes later, is the same. If shedding attire and putting on the other were to be a key for a change of heart and mindset, we are to believe that present day leaders would require several trendy clothes!

This act reminds me of the fairy tale - Little Red Riding Hood, in which there were four characters - The little girl, Her Grandmother, the Wolf and the hunter. In this fairy tale, the bad wolf enters the house of grandmother in the guise of little girl by wearing the red hood, eats the grandmother, and then waits for the girl, disguised as the grandmother. It waits for the girl and eats her too as she enters. Later on the wolf is killed by the hunter, and the little girl and her grandmother come out. The moral of the story is a lesson to the children not to go alone into the forest.

The citizens of Pakistan are akin to the little girl; grandmother is the Supreme Court; Musharraf - the handsome wolf; and the hunter is the International community led by the USA.

Handing over the command to his handpicked person, and getting sworn in by the judges appointed by him to continue to exercise power, President Musharraf has not shed his dictatorial tendency. In this new capacity, it would be naïve to believe that he would be an important ally to fight the terrorists.

It is a pity that the country appears to be devoid of leaders, even on the distant horizon. Any how, it is difficult to predict the future under the circumstances. We only wish the country has a democratic form of governance and peace reigns soon.

I never visited Pakistan, nor do I hope to in future. Many Indians view that country as a recalcitrant state. That Country views India as a ‘Bully’! Be that as it may, I am fond of their Cricketers, who like Indians are greatly talented. They are currently in India, playing matches and the on going contest is thrilling, with India leading in the test series at the moment. On and off the field, there is a tremendous goodwill for all the players, playing the game in true spirit. This is one game through which genuine friendship can be built and consolidated between the countries, and many an issue could be settled through diplomacy, which anyway going on and off for decades. I do say that the citizens of both the countries desire peace as never before, more than anything else since the partition 60 years ago.

The leaders are the Block on either side, with distrust deeply rooted in their blood. They are egoistic, beat around the bush during discussions, and sign in to continue their talks further. We hope this mindset changes, and the blockade is eased.

Tailpiece. He that put on a public gown must put off the private person. - A proverb.