President Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s thesis of “enlightened moderation”, has been widely debated in the print media eliciting mixed response of admiration and skepticism.
Ever since the inception of Pakistan in 1947, the country has been struggling to earn better rating on the chart of “good governance” maintained by the international community.
However, political strife coupled with unemployment, terrorism, feudalism, crime, absolute lawlessness by the powerful, have continued unabated under different civilian governments in power.
On a number of occasions, leaders of various political parties requested the army to intervene and save the country from disintegration. Musharraf has tried to repair the damage done by the past civilian governments by bringing about revolutionary reforms in all sectors. Pakistan needs a powerful leader (like Musharraf) who is strong enough to steer the country to the path of continuous and gradual prosperity.
Even before the 9/11 attacks, the government had chalked out plans to root out terrorism and sectarian violence in the country. But following the US war against the Taleban, Islamabad encountered a very threatening situation. It had to act swiftly to prove to the world that it was against global terrorism.
In the changed scenario, the only option left for Islamabad was to reject extremism and support the US in the war on terror. The people at home and the entire Muslim world endorsed President Musharraf’s anti-terror measures and his call to adopt moderation.
President Musharraf’s endeavor toward enlightened moderation is nothing new. In fact, Pakistan was created on the basis of Islamic ideology coupled with moderation. Allama Iqbal envisioned a moderate and politically-conscious country. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his speeches advocated formation of a moderate and progressive society for the Muslims of the subcontinent.
The Quaid propagated enlightened and progressive ideas throughout his life. Hence, Musharraf’s plan of enlightened moderation is not his own creation but it is based on Quaid’s vision of Muslim society as a separate identity.
Majority of the people favors progress, enlightenment and moderation. However, it is very unfortunate that Pakistani society is currently divided into two segments — one that holds extreme views, opposes enlightened moderation and is the source of chaos in the society. They are against modern science and technology. While the other group comprising so-called intellectuals does not want to seek inspiration from the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Hadith. Both the groups oppose recourse to reconciliation and dialogue.
These two groups hold extremist views that are detrimental to the society and the country.
To counter the views these groups hold there is a need to seek a middle approach.
The middle path can lay down actual foundation of enlightened moderation advocated by the Quaid, Allama Iqbal and now President Musharraf.
Schools, colleges, research institutions, parents, teachers, etc. should inculcate in the minds of our future generation a thinking pattern that is akin to moderation.
To achieve their objectives, the Americans exploited the sentiments of the people who turned to extremism during the US-Russia confrontation in Afghanistan in 1979. The then government and the extremists who were opposed to the Quaid’s enlightened vision, helped the United States.
The Americans played with the sentiments of Muslim youths drawn from Pakistan and other Muslim countries who volunteered to fight the invading Russians in Afghanistan at the behest of the US thinking it was jihad. When the Soviet Army withdrew, these fighters, called mujahedeen, took over the reign of Afghanistan.
Consequently, a crop of armed guerillas and terrorists emerged after the war, unwilling to accept any rational and logical advice. The Afghan war infused in the mind of the new generation that fighting infidels and killing them is an Islamic act. These elements were unable to understand that their activities were not based on the teachings of Islam.
In order to make these people understand what is right and what is wrong, a comprehensive program is needed to carry forward the agenda of enlightened moderation.
The groups opposing reforms need to be told and convinced that the government’s reform process is not part of an American agenda but the agenda of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. It is very disappointing to see that moderate segments of the society are opposing enlightened moderation because they think the proponent is Gen. Pervez Musharraf who has not been elected as per any democratic procedure. They should realize that moderation will best serve the interest of Pakistan.
The president and the prime minister want to transform the society on the basis of the principles of enlightened moderation.
For this purpose, practical steps are needed. There is a need to create a general awareness among various segments of the society; launch a dialogue to remove doubts and apprehensions from their minds and make them believe that moderation is the key to success.
Leaders who thrive on rhetoric and speeches have never been able to deliver. Pakistan needs leaders who are practical in thinking and approach, who can provide the people the basic necessities of life they have been deprived of for so long. Let us support President Musharraf in his endeavor to make Pakistan a progressive country.