Islamabad/Brussels, 3 October 2002: National elections will
be held in Pakistan on 10 October. Ahead of the vote, President Pervez Musharraf,
who led the October 1999 coup, has promised that he will restore democracy and
transfer power to an elected government. However his military government is
following the pattern of Pakistan’s previous military rulers by unilaterally
instituting political and constitutional changes intended to ensure that the
generals retain the real power and any democratic transition falters before it
begins.
A new ICG report published today,
Pakistan: Transition to Democracy?, says both the military and the political elite are to blame for the
failure of the country to develop democratic government. ICG South Asia Project
Director Samina Ahmed said: “The political elite succumbed in the past to the
military’s tactics, tempted by the spoils of power, and is again facing a
blueprint for more military rule”.
External pressure, especially from the United States and the
European Union, is vital if President Musharraf is to fulfil his pledge to
restore democracy. Washington and its allies have so far said little, in the
misguided belief that Pakistan’s military is the only institution that can
combat terrorism in the region and hold back the tide of Islamist extremism.
Samina Ahmed said: “A military government in Pakistan has
already exacerbated tensions with India over Kashmir, and elements of the
military have used the jihadis for their own purposes. Political stability will
elude Pakistan until the country has a representative government. There is a
high risk that the coming elections will not be free and fair – but if they are
– the victors will be the major, moderate parties who are sympathetic to U.S.
goals in the region, who have their own reasons to normalise relations with
India and curb the powers of extremist groups”.
The “reforms” proposed by Musharraf would actually give the
President much greater powers, including the power to dissolve the National
Assembly. The President has warned parliamentarians that if they do not accept
his amendments they will lose their jobs. Electoral procedures have been
revised, disqualifying scores of politicians from standing, including former
prime ministers who lead the major opposition parties, while the judiciary has
been subordinated to the executive through forced resignations, selective
appointments and inducements.
ICG urges Pakistan to conduct a free and fair election and
to ensure that local and international observers have secure and unrestricted
access to the electoral process. Most importantly, the U.S., EU and the rest of
the international community should insist that all restrictions on freedom of
association and freedom of speech are lifted, and make clear to President
Musharraf that it will not be acceptable for military rule to continue
indefinitely, whether directly or behind a democratic façade.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Katy Cronin (London) +44.20.86.82.93.51 –
email: [email protected]
Ana Caprile (Brussels) +32-(0)2-536.00.70
Jennifer Leonard (Washington) +1-202-408 8012
This report and all ICG reports are available on our website
www.crisisweb.org
The International Crisis Group (ICG) is a private,
multinational organisation, with over 80 staff members on five continents,
working through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent
and resolve deadly conflict.