Independent
Judiciary is the essence of democracy and the Constitution is very clear about
certain restrictions on the Pakistani citizens having ‘dual nationality’, and
for good reasons. Why, then, the government is bent upon undermining the
Judiciary by introducing the contempt bill and seeking amendment in the
relevant article to permit holding of public offices by the ‘dual nationality’
holders? To get an answer, we need to understand the bigger picture.
In
my article titled, ‘colonization of a new kind’, Published in The NEWS on 4th January 2012, I had tried
to throw light on USA’s strategy to convert Pakistan into a ‘pliant’ state, an
imperative for fulfilment of their ‘grand design’ in the region. To pursue this objective the strategy being adopted is to
control Pakistan by controlling its leadership, through implementation
of a well thought-out plan, whereby; (1)
Pakistani politicians willing to support the US
agenda in the region would be ‘assisted’ to reach the corridors of power (2)
Ingress would be made in major institutions by cultivating ‘local assets’,
thereby, establishing a network to ‘elevate and protect’ those who comply and
‘marginalize’ those not falling in line (3) Alternate leadership would be
prepared to ensure friendly change, if situation so demanded (4) Rampant corruption, economic dependence on USA and
negative internal dynamics of Pakistan would serve as tools to support the
strategy.
NRO
was thus brokered by USA to pave the way for return and ascent to power of
‘leaders’, willing to dance to their tune. Having placed at the required
positions, they were to achieve total control over institutions that may hinder
pursuance of long-term US objectives. The major institutions to be tamed
included the Parliament, military establishment and the Judiciary.
Thus,
in pursuance of this agenda, the Parliament has been successfully converted
into a ‘rubber-stamp body’ through enactment of 18th Amendment,
whereby, a party
head has become so strong that he can even unseat a sitting PM of his party and
if he is also the President, enjoying immunity, as is the case these days, the
system can be termed anything but democracy. Unfortunately, the main opposition
party also became a party to this undemocratic clause while pursuing their own
selfish agendas. Now, the USA by just controlling 4-5 party-heads, can control
the entire policy-making of Pakistan. One can imagine the consequences if these
leaders also choose to become US citizens after passage of proposed bill on
‘dual nationality’.
After
achieving control over the parliament, the guns were directed towards the
military establishment to undermine the institution, to gain control over them
and curtail their ability to breed ‘strategic defiance’ to the USA’s ‘grand
design’ in the region. While the dilution of Army’s status as a centre of
gravity is a good omen in a democratic dispensation, the conspiracy to
undermine this institution would prove to be extremely detrimental for the
country as the Army is, and must remain, relevant to Pakistan’s security. By
securing dual nationality, the perpetrators conspiring against the military
establishment would be able to pursue their agenda with greater freedom of
action.
With
the parliament marginalized and military establishment taking the back seat, the
US backed Pakistani leadership hoped to get a free hand to pursue the given
agenda but for pro-active judiciary which has emerged as a major irritant for
the ruling elite, and its patrons.
Hence, the ‘contempt’ and ‘dual-nationality’ bills, which are aimed at becoming
all powerful ‘untouchables’ so that the given foreign agenda could be pursued
with impunity.
While
it is expected that the Judiciary would thwart any attempt to undermine its
independence, the ‘dual nationality’ bill, if passed, would have serious
implications for Pakistan. Already, under the garb of constructing new embassy
at Islamabad close to the Presidency and PM’s Secretariat and a consulate at
Karachi, the US is in the process of developing bases in Pakistan. With the
enactment of the proposed bill, we would probably one day have ruling elite
with US passports, virtually running the country from the US base at Islamabad
and taking decisions under US dictation, which may not be in our national
interest – colonization of a
new kind.
As such, in my view, all those parliamentarians who support the
‘dual nationality’ bill would be responsible for placing the country under a
de-facto foreign rule.
