An open letter to the US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice

Madame Secretary Condoleezza Rice,

America has the unique distinction of being the oldest democracy.  It was the vanguard of democracy when fascists like Hitler, or Communists like Stalin tried to spread their oppressive tentacles over the free world.  Sadly, at the same time, quietly supporting the autocratic regimes around the globe had also been one of the centerpieces of its foreign policy.  The United States is diligently guarding the backs of autocrats like Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.  Why? Because it is easier to convince, cajole, or twist arm of an autocrat to get inline with the American policies than convincing hundreds of parliamentarians.  Arguably, such foreign-policy initiatives have served American interests well, but in case of President Musharraf it is increasingly turning into a serious liability both in terms of severely tainting American reputation and threatening the regional security.  It is imperative that we shift our foreign-policy focus from supporting a Pakistani to supporting the Pakistanis.

I feel less than honored for being represented by a Secretary who has failed to take a moral and principled stand against the threats currently challenging the pillars of democracy in Pakistan.  On November 3, General cum President Musharraf declared an Emergency through a Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO).  By any definition the so-called Emergency was a Martial Law.

 Immediately, the Judiciary was imprisoned in their own homes, hundreds of lawyers were arrested and physically abused, humans rights workers were dispatched to the jails, media was gagged and journalists were thrown into the jails, and thousands of opposition party workers were mercilessly beaten and stuffed in the already overcrowded jails.  At one point, on the orders of General Musharraf there were around 4,500 political prisoners languishing in jails.

Heroes of the popular lawyers' movement, Aitzaz Ahsan, Muneer Malik, and Ali Ahmed Kurd were detained with the lightning speed.  The establishment almost killed Muneer Malik in Attock jail where he suffered from kidney failure.  The enormously recognized Chief Justice Iftikhar M. Chaudhry is still held hostage in his residence, along with his family.  It should be noted, that the Chief Justice Chaudhry is one of the most honored, recognized, and acknowledged Justice in the history.  Harvard Law School has conferred him with its highest award, the 'Medal of Freedom'.  He was anointed the lawyer of the year by The National Law Journal. Among many, The New York City Bar Association admitted him as a rare honorary member. Despite all this, the State Department failed to even pay lip service in support of the Chief Justice who is extra judicially incarcerated. 
Even though, the so-called Emergency had been lifted and the morally questionable Judiciary has taken a fresh oath under the Constitution of Pakistan, - poisoned and contaminated by the amendments enacted through the stroke of Musharraf's pen, and not by the representatives of the Pakistani nationals - one would be hard pressed to find a single Pakistani with an iota of trust left in the dubious Judiciary that also took oath under the PCO issued and signed by a General. 

There is every reason to doubt the legitimacy and credibility of the Pakistani elections allegedly being held in January.  Serious questions are being raised about the independence of the media, as certain media outlets deemed critical of the Musharraf government remain banned, or at minimum gagged.  State resources are being spent on pro-Musharraf candidates.  Political leaders like Benazir Bhutto (leader of the largest Pakistani political party) have already voiced their reservations over the free and fair elections.  The Election Commission and the Caretaker Government are already believed to be overtly partisan.  It would be an understatement to say that without the supervision of independent Judiciary, and free media there is no guarantee that free and fair elections could be held. 

The Pakistani voters believe that an independent Judiciary is the last sanctuary to take the grievances of the disenfranchised voters.  Therefore, the US needs to remind President Musharraf to restore the pre-November 3 Judiciary, because only then the trust in the independent Judiciary can be restored.  What we are looking at is a recipe for disaster.  If or when the Pakistani voters will develop a feeling of disenfranchisement they will have nowhere to take their grievances but to the streets, which can snowball into violence and instability in a region that is already considered to be extremely volatile. 

At this critical time when the Taliban insurgency is on the rise and terrorists like Osama bin Laden are still at large, an instable and violent Pakistan is the last worry the US needs.  We need to assure the Pakistanis that we will do everything in our power to persuade President Musharraf to restore the original Constitution, reinstall the pre-November 3 Judiciary, and set the media free; so they can cast their votes with confidence knowing that their votes can make a difference. 
The best way to persuade President Musharraf is by tying up the American monetary and military aid to Pakistan with the restoration of free and independent judiciary, and media.  We need to explain to the Pakistani citizens that even if the US would suspend its monetary aid to Pakistani Government it will continue funding the social uplifting projects through the NGOs.  In addition, we should also make abundantly clear to the neighbors of Pakistan that the United States will not allow any mischief or interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan at this critical time. 

There should hardly be a doubt that the advancement of democracy in Pakistan is crucial to the overall security of the region.  It is of utmost importance that we immediately start supporting the Pakistanis, and not a Pakistani who has already lost the trust and support of overwhelming Pakistanis. If the sole reason behind the unwavering American support of President Musharraf is that only he can be trusted with the Pakistani nuclear weapons, then imagine what would happen, if tomorrow, from an act of God he is no more?
Sincerely,