The 'London Wala' as he is contemptuously called by opponents who do not want to utter his name, or the one from London, MQM leader Altaf Hussain, has called for a military coup in Pakistan. All the reasons he cited, such as corruption and medieval feudalism, are real, if endemic, problems in Pakistan. Yet his call is simply wrong and mischievous.
As Pakistan's history shows, the military is a part of the problem.
If one ongoing ill defines the legacy of the first military dictator, Ayub Khan, it is corruption. His family did handsomely and has been in politics ever since. The next one, Yahya Khan, known for his debauchery, presided over the dismemberment of Pakistan. Then came Zia, who, though less corrupt, introduced the poison of extremism and the Kalashnikov culture.
Finally came Musharraf, who, also hanging out in London these days, laid the ground of the current anarchy in the country.
Yet all these dictators co-opted civilian politicians. Military dictators do not operate in a vacuum. Even Z.A.Bhutto was a Minister in Ayub's government.
Zardari least of all deserves to be President; but the solution is not a coup. At present, the sole focus should be on dealing with the floods. Once the emergency is over, Parliament can assert itself.
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