http://micropakistan.org/blog/2008/05/31/pakistan-can-we-change-by-freddie/ Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:23:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 http://micropakistan.org/blog/2008/05/31/pakistan-can-we-change-by-freddie/#comment-7785 jawad Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:28:43 +0000 http://micropakistan.org/blog/2008/05/31/pakistan-can-we-change-by-freddie/#comment-7785 Yes, we can change. The way Americans were made to change long ago or more recently the Chinese were changed. The only way to bring about change in the character and behaviour of people nourished by the traditions and culture of a people is by strict implementation of rule of law. Honest enforcement of law on eveyone - rich or poor, powerful or weak - can transform our society in minutes not years or decades, the way we change in a moment when our plane lands in some western country. But to implement this fair rule of law where shall we find a group of honest men ? Yes, we can change. The way Americans were made to change long ago or more recently the Chinese were changed. The only way to bring about change in the character and behaviour of people nourished by the traditions and culture of a people is by strict implementation of rule of law. Honest enforcement of law on eveyone - rich or poor, powerful or weak - can transform our society in minutes not years or decades, the way we change in a moment when our plane lands in some western country. But to implement this fair rule of law where shall we find a group of honest men ?

]]> http://micropakistan.org/blog/2008/05/31/pakistan-can-we-change-by-freddie/#comment-7770 Riaz Haq Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:25:55 +0000 http://micropakistan.org/blog/2008/05/31/pakistan-can-we-change-by-freddie/#comment-7770 Pakistan remains fundamentally a feudal society with a degree of misguided religious zealotry, even though the last 8 years under Musharraf have seen significant urbanization and expansion of the middle class. The chances of it lurching toward some form of democracy require that the power of the feudal zamindars continue to decline and be eventually replaced by people who believe in rule of law and institution building. How long would it take? Will the military give democracy a chance? Will the religious militants be brought under control? Those are the big questions. The building of a civil society that helps develop active citizens involved in civic affairs and community-based self-help with a vibrant private sector will also be crucial in Pakistan's quest for becoming a modern democracy of the people, for the people and by the people. Pakistan remains fundamentally a feudal society with a degree of misguided religious zealotry, even though the last 8 years under Musharraf have seen significant urbanization and expansion of the middle class. The chances of it lurching toward some form of democracy require that the power of the feudal zamindars continue to decline and be eventually replaced by people who believe in rule of law and institution building. How long would it take? Will the military give democracy a chance? Will the religious militants be brought under control? Those are the big questions.
The building of a civil society that helps develop active citizens involved in civic affairs and community-based self-help with a vibrant private sector will also be crucial in Pakistan’s quest for becoming a modern democracy of the people, for the people and by the people.

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