23.Prospects and Perils of Democracy in Iraq

8/14/2019 23.Prospects and Perils of Democracy in Iraq

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PROSPECTS AND PERILS OF DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ

Iraq is a very important country of the middle and lone of the formidable war machine inthe world is now itself in the flames of war. Tins war which is termed by the people of

Iraq as war of liberation but the occupying forces term it as war against terrorism. But if

one looks at Iraq realistically it is not a war against terrorism. Terrorism laterally meansviolence. In Iraq violence is commuted not only by Iraqi people but also by the U.S. and

Allied forces. Fit is a fact that Iraq is an occupied country now aim to end that occupation

various ways and means are used by the people. One of them are the violent ways andmeans. A struggle without violence needs a mature political leadership. A peaceful

struggle is a Song and difficult process which needs patience and forbearance on the part

of those who are struggling for the cause of liberation. Only those movements are

successful which arise from the occupied soil. Democracy then is a product ofcapitalism. It is suited only for those countries where all the necessary ground realities

support democratic process. Recently elections were held in Iraq. Election under the

shadow: occupying forces, tanks and guns are to a farcical and not real. Because in the

elections only those people can take part who are the supporters occupying forcesovertly or covertly. In do not provide real representatives for the people As ejections do

not reflect the aspirations of the people uien sucu ejections do not satisfy acommon , a.,.. immediate problem of Iraq is to start a political process 1 ne occupying

forces should stop an sons of activities.

They should give an assurance to the people of Iraq they have not come to stay in Iraq but

to leave Iraq. For this purpose a clear cut time table should be given.for Prospective Headmasters

The Study of Education

Reconstruction of Iraq is another important point. In the name of reconstruction of IraqAmerican companies are reaping the benefits and exploiting the natural resources of Iraq.If Americans and their allies are sincere to a peaceful democratic transition and to

establish a democratic Government in Iraq, reconstruction should be carried out by

people other than Americans and her allies. For reconstruction it is necessary to restorethe sovereignty of Iraq. An occupied country is not reconstructed because no one sees any

future of such a country. In my opinion present elections will add to the problems of the

people of Iraq. It will also make the situation more volatile and complicated for U.S. and

her allies. Presently a large section of the Iraqi public opinion is against these elections.Further more these elections will make the gap wider between Shias and Sunnis of Iraq.

The participating groups and parties in these elections are Shias. Sunnis, once the rulers

of Iraq, did not take part or have been kept away from the elections. Such elections willonly divide Iraq more on ethnic and sectarian basis. A society divided on such basis never

return to normal position as all the ethnic and sectarian organization and their leaders are

extremists. They never become ready to a compromise and democracy is the other nameof compromise. Radicalism intensifies when the people are denied democratic rights or

one section of the society is given preference over the other as we see today in Iraq. So to

hold real election in Iraq first of all, occupation should be ended as soon as possible.

Secondly, reconstruction of Iraq should be started by people other than US and its allies,


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^hirdly, for genuine elections all the sections of Iraqi society should be enabled to take

part in the election. For this purpose a process of dialogue should be started with all shads

and hues of the political outfits in Iraq. Fourthly and most importantly, the nationalsovereignty of Iraqi should be restored. For that purpose a government of national

consensus should work for four to five years. Fair and just trial against the former rulers

should be conducted. Baath Party, which has roots in Iraqi society, should be given theright to carry out their political activities and then it is up to the people of Iraq and not to

the occupying forces to decide the destiny of Iraq.

CRISIS IN BALUCHISTAN

(SUGGESTIONS)

Baluchistan is the largest province of Pakistan territorially. About 32% of the total

territory of Pakistan is Baluchistan. Baluchistan is ethnically a colourful province. About

45 percent of its population are Pukhtoons. Baluchs are divided into Baluch and Brahves.

There are settlers from Punjab and elsewhere of Pakistan. Baluchistan is the mostbackward province of Pakistan. It is a rich province due to its mineral resources but these

resources have not fully utilized and their benefits have not reached to the common man.There are various reasons responsible for this backwardness and deprivation of the people

of Baluchistan. First of all no government in Pakistan has given proper attention to the

development of Baluchistan Pakistan. Thus Baluch have complaints against central

government. In the recent developments in Baluchistan, there is some bad news of somesad incidents. Sometimes gas pipelines are targeted and sometimes armed forces are

attacked. This situation is very dangerous especially for the developmental works in

Baluchistan. Some steps are recommended in this regard which will make the situationbetter.

Firstly, Baluch should be given the realization that Pakistan Army is their own army andthey have not come to Baluchistan to occupy Baluchistan but to safeguard the national

interest of Pakistan.

Secondly, most people feel that being a feudal society, the Government of Pakistan has

given share to certain Baluch Sardars and repressed those who are or Prospective

Headmasters nationalists. This is also a contributing factor to the sense of deprivation in

Baluchistan. The government should ensure the better standard of life of common man.

Thirdly, the People of Baluchistan claim that Mega in Baluchistan have not given any

significant benefits to the people of Baluchistan and that man-power in these megaprojects are all alien people. Another danger for the people of Baluchistan is the, ultura

domination of settlers in Baluchistan as these seitiers buy tortile lards of Baluchistan

which the people of Baluchistan consider it a conspiracy, against themselves. They fearthat they will be made a minority in their own home. Baluchistan National Ltbei.r.ion

army is certainly a reaction against this danger. Gas liom Sui run industries and is used

for domestic consumption of other parts of the country particularly in Punjab and Urban

Sindh but most parts of Baluchistan has been kept deprived of natural gas. All these


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doubt. The people of Baluchistan will have to be removed. Land purchase in Baluchistan

by aliens should be stopped.

As Pakistan is a buckwaul country in the field of education and Baluchistan is the most

backward. The young generation of Baluchistan wants employment, services. Similarly,

they claim that their share in Government services is very little.

'!"> mitigate their sense of deprivation Meps in the fields of-education, employment etc,

are nec^csary to be niken. Women participation is also necessary lo injure progress in Bi'uehisuix Reconnv ;be C-ov-^iiinent has CNkiOh;-,'^*.! .;: W"M;-.;n i. mversity \\~:

Oner ; auu certain \vomao -.-oiiegcs MI but Baluchistan needs more. J-'ui'therrnore, nrmv siiuuid be

recalled from Baluchistnn. A dialogue must iv started \vith ail those who have complaintsagainst the Central Government. These are the steps which will bring Baluchs to the

national stream and ensure a strong and siabie Pakistan.

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23.Prospects and Perils of Democracy in Iraq