During the past few days I have overheard the following conversation between people at public places in Karachi:
- How can an order issued by the Chief of Army Staff be applicable to anyone other than army personnel? Why do the Civil Administration and Judiciary take notice of such orders?
- How can a civil servant of grade 17 issue a document titled “Statutory Regulatory Order” on Government of Pakistan letter head in defiance of the acts of parliament, budgetary allocations and constitutional provisions?
- How can the army that holds the people and institutions of Pakistan in such contempt be expected to give its blood to defend them?
- All of Pakistan’s problems can be solved by getting rid of about 600 top civil servants, an equal number of politicians and about 200 top military officers.
- Pervez Musharraf has not been able to find a general in the Pak army suitable to be appointed as COAS in the last five years, will he import one now?
- Pervez Musharraf is needed to maintain political stability in Pakistan.
- Benazir Bhutto in spite of being a democratic icon has no political program or economic policy; she will only fuel further corruption if brought to power.
- Nawaz Shrif initiated the economic policies in his first term which are still being followed, but he has a dictatorial streak and may again annoy his colleagues who may again conspire with the army to overthrow him.
- Is Nawaz Sharif the Saudi candidate for premiership or USA’s possible alternative to Benazir?
- What is the formula to empower the poor who are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer?
God help us.
