A Letter Written to MA Senator

Feel free to copy it, put your name at the end and send to any forum.

Sir,

I am a Pakistani Citizen currently living in Boston and enrolled in MBA Program at Boston University. Just while being a citizen of Pakistan, I wish best for Pakistan. At the same time, being a benefactor of the systems developed by the great nation of Americans and the great country named United States of America, I also have a stake in a safe, secure and happy United States. Fortunately enough, the best interests of Pakistan and United States of America could not have been converged more than they are now. For a better Pakistan and for a secure US and the world, we need end of extremism and upholding of universal principles of human rights and democracy all across the world.

In such circumstances, I see the imposition of Martial Law by General Musharaf (Sir, you will agree with me that in emergency you do not suspend constitution and it is not imposed by Chief of Army Staff and that is what the order reads), is a great threat to the common interests of Pakistani and American people.

He is trying to sell it to the West and United States as a necessary step to carry out War on Terror. As you have been familiar with his double games on War on Terror in the past, he is lying once more. This emergency was not against any hampering caused by courts for War on Terror but for Supreme Courts efforts to restore the rule of law in Pakistan.

He cites Supreme Court's sue motto action in case of missing persons as court's attempt to provide relief to terrorists. Again a lie. In case of missing persons, the majority comprised the political workers belonging to provincial rights' movements and pro-democracy movements from Sindh and Balochistan provinces and not the religious radical extremists and it was in this context that Supreme Court took notice of this issue.

Secondly, the courts were holding government officials accountable not for fighting war on terror but for torture on rallies of journalists, lawyers and pro democracy activists. On his part, he has refused to seek international help for probe into the bombing of welcoming rally of Ms Bhutto because it is alleged that the probe will expose links between his administration and terrorists.

Lastly, having a close look at his actions post imposition of emergency, one can realize that this is a coup not against extremism but against liberalism.

1. He has banned the transmission of private media in the country.

2. Both print and electronic media have been put under strict censorship and restrictions.

3. Lawyers and activists of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan have been detained across the length and breadth of the country along with political activists of moderate political parties.

4. Courts' functioning has been halted.

5. The process of transfer of power to civilian rule has been halted for one man to prolong his tyranny and dictatorship. In case of transfer of power to civilians, the only two likely candidates were Bhutto and Nawaz, both have repeatedly urged their commitment to War on Terror. In my honest assessment, their combating of War on Terror will not be half hearted and cheeky as has been with Musharaf.

Sir, what disturbs me the most is that this action of Musharaf will further destablize Pakistan (something that suits none but terrorists). The action has created a vacuum of legitimacy and has increased the frustration among the masses. This frustration can be exploited by the terrorists for recruitment. It will brew more extremism and terrorism in the long run.

For this, I strongly request you and people like you to make every effort to weaken the tyrant. I have been an admirer of your record on freedoms, democracy and human rights. I request you to use your influence and office to take stern measures (including suspension of US aid for Pakistan and tying it to restoration of constitution and democracy in Pakistan, and urging US government to act swiftly through its good offices to ensure a smooth and swift transition to a post Musharaf civilian rule in Pakistan). Longer this situation persists, more in danger the world will be in. This offers an opportunity for US government to win hearts and minds of Pakistani people by taking their side in this struggle.

We Pakistanis will be grateful for your support in this regard. But even more so, we the citizens of the world need a statesman like you to act to save us from a threat that endangers us all. I have a strong hope that a champion of freedoms like you will stand with us and will provide us, the citizens of Pakistan and world, the much needed and valuable support.

In case of any further queries or information, I will be privileged to respond.

Sincerely,

Atta Ali Malik

http://demopak.blogspot.com