Pakistan parties' disregard for national dignity denounced

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, AUG. 29. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr. Donald McKinnon, may have hogged the headlines with his strident comments on the need for early restoration of democracy in Pakistan during his visit here last weekend but the national press is not impressed.

Several papers lambasted the leaders of various political parties for making a beeline to the hotel, where the ``foreigner'' was camping, with petitions against the military government. ``Self- inflicted indignity'' and ``utter disregard to self-respect and national dignity'' were used to denounce the ``behaviour'' of political parties.

Some papers questioned the track record of the Commonwealth in dealing with dictatorial and corrupt regimes among its members. The Commonwealth has been asked to review its record during the previous military regimes in Pakistan.

The Musharraf Government also did not take kindly to the ``inspection visit'' of Mr. McKinnon. The complaint of the managers of the military regime was that Mr. McKinnon did not exactly enhance the prestige of the Commonwealth by his ``rash'' statements on Pakistan's internal affairs.

A day before his arrival, the Musharraf Government said it would raise the issue of non-helpful attitude of some Commonwealth member-countries to its requests for extradition of its citizens who fled the country after looting billions and stashed them away in foreign banks.

Going by the comments in the press at the end of Mr. Mckinnon's visit, the media appears to think the Commonwealth Secretary- General exceeded his brief.

In its editorial, The News said the meetings between the leaders of political parties and Mr. McKinnon could have been more dignified. ``They all made a beeline for meeting the man and soliciting his support, briefing him on purely internal affairs of the country. This conduct is most unbecoming. Especially by those who never tire of mouthing sizzling slogans of self- reliance, national dignity and honour.'' The paper said it was not the first time such a thing happened and politicians had the habit of knocking at foreign doors to save their sinking careers.

According to Pakistan Observer, the scenario was reminiscent of the colonial era, when a particular breed of politicians would scramble to seek audience with viceregal representatives for survival.

The Frontier Post raised several questions on the stand taken by the Commonwealth when Pakistan was ruled by military rulers in the past. ``Where was the Commonwealth when Field Marshal (Ayub Khan) subverted the democratic Constitution of Pakistan... The Commonwealth got along famously with the Field Marshal, did it not? What love for democracy''.

It recalled the comradeship between the Commonwealth and the military dictator, Gen. Zia-ul-Haq saying the former had stood solidly behind Gen. Zia in the Afghan war fought as a proxy for the United States.

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