Explosions versus  Emergency
Speech of Ms Benazir Bhutto on
Proclamation of Emergency
June 8, 1998

Ladies and gentlemen, 

It was with a rude shock that the nation was informed of the Proclamation of Emergency, where with a stroke of the pen all the Fundamental Rights where suspended. 

Ever since it assumed office, the Nawaz regime has assiduously sought to dismantle democracy. One by one, independent centers of power had to go. The independent President, the independent Chief Justice, the independent Chief Election Commissioner all fell victim to the machinations of this regime. 

Three Special laws, Ehtesaab, Anti-Terrorist IPP were made which were opposition specific. And then, hiding behind the Nuclear blast, the regime embarked on a partisan agenda of seizing property and seizing freedom. 

There is not a single precedent in the history of the countries who have conducted nuclear tests where emergency has been declared or Fundamental Rights denied. Representative governments trust their people. Obviously this regime did not trust the people of Pakistan. A single appeal to people not to withdraw foreign currency would have led to an outpouring of patriotism. This was not done and we condemn it. 

The Pakistan Peoples Party sees no justification for imposing emergency and suspending all the Fundamental Rights. People of Pakistan, are not less patriotic than the citizens of India? If India did not need Emergency, people want to know why Pakistan needs Emergency. It is not Pakistan that needs this draconian action. It is an unpopular dictator who fears the wrath of his people. 

Under our Constitution, there are three different kinds of proclamations of emergency One in the event of external aggression or internal disturbance beyond the control of a Provincial Government. The second kind is when the President is satisfied that the that government of a province cannot be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. This emergency is commonly known as “Governor’s Rule”. The third is a Proclamation which the President can issue when the financial stability of the country is threatened. This is called “Financial Emergency”. 

It seems the President has issued a Proclamation of Emergency because he is satisfied that the  security of Pakistan is threatened by war or external aggression. However after the successful nuclear tests, the regime was assuring the nation that “the nuclear tests successfully carried out by Pakistan have averted the threats of aggression by India and now balance of power has been achieved in the South Asia which is necessary for preservation of peace”. 

We have been categorically told that “successful nuclear tests by Pakistan will prove an effective deterrent against aggressive and expansionists aims and designs of India”. 

With such statements from responsible officials of the State, it would appear that the threat of war has been averted. And if the threat of external aggression has receded, there is no valid reason for the enforcement of Emergency. 

The real reason was a fear by the regime of a run on foreign currency accounts. 

Having mismanaged the economy and having exhausted forex reserves, the regime saw a golden opportunity in the nuclear tests to grab the foreign currency held by Pakistani citizens. (Of course it first used insider knowledge to take out money belonging to the ruling family and their friends and cronies). 

The latest statement whereby depositors have been told to collect their money in Rupees or else they will face scrutiny discloses the whole game. The Economic Reforms Act promised protection of Foreign Currency Accounts. But the regime is violating that protection to illicitly grab money of middle classes. The regime wants dollars and it is taking the dollars of the citizens by force. It is threatening the citizens in its typical bully boy fashion. Take the Rupee while you can or I will not even let you have that. This is sheer blackmail ! 

Lately the regime has started resorting to legislation through Ordinances despite having a two-third majority in the Parliament. The Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, the amendments in Contempt of Court Law of 1997, The Eradication of Corruption Ordinance, 1998 and the Ordinances promulgated to amend The Ehtesab Act are some of the statutes which clearly reflect a contempt for Parliament. 

The proclamation of Emergency shows contempt for our people and for their property rights. We protest against this action. This action shows the bankruptcy of the economic policies of this regime 

At this crucial juncture, the Government should have promoted harmony and unity in the nation instead of promotion of further polarisation, unrest and sense of insecurity both among the provinces and the people of Pakistan. Therefore in the national interest, we call upon the regime to withdraw the proclamation of Emergency forthwith. 

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