Politics of intolerance culminates in extremism: Ms Benazir Bhutto
Address on the Annual Healthcare Leadership Forum organized by Siemens Medical Solution Group in Arizona State USA
May 4, 2005

Islamabad, May 4, 2005: "People of goodwill and moderation must unite to prevent the twenty first century becoming one that ends up with religious suspicion and conflict. She said that this can be done by investing in education and social reform." This was said by the former Prime Minister and Chairperson Pakistan Peoples Party, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto while speaking to a select audience of 300 peoples today at the annual Healthcare Leadership Forum organized by Siemens Medical Solution Group in Arizona State USA.

Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto apprising the audience about the link between dictatorial political systems and the politics of intolerance which often culminated in extremism, said, "In this connection, the former Prime Minister noted that unfortunately many Muslim countries, including Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines had long histories of authoritarian rule. She recalled that in the twentieth century some argued that authoritarianism could produce a professional middle class facilitating democratic reform and cited the Asian tigers as examples. However, she did not agree with this view. She said it could be argued that the rise of the lawlessness and terrorism was a consequence of a generation that saw power come from the use of force. By suspending the majesty of law, by taking over by force, by ruling through repression, military dictators and authoritarian rulers gave birth to the culture of obtaining power through violence."

Stressing the need for democratic dispensation former prime minister said, "To undermine terrorism, violence, brutality and barbarism, it is necessary to stress the values of democracy, the rule of law, justice, equality and the empowerment of all citizens. Mohtarma called for giving the Muslim people models of political development that enhance the dignity of the individual and the prosperity of the Nation. While fighting the war on terrorism, it was necessary to fight an equally critical war on against the regressive forces of totalitarianism. Extremists like Al Qaeda supporters use violence to bring about the clash of civilizations which can only create bloodshed, conflict and suffering. She felt saddened that the terrorists had wrongly used the name of religion which had resulted in many Muslims paying the price for their deeds. She said that the terrorist activities have focussed attention on all Muslims. Large numbers of Muslims are facing a growing siege mentality."

Highlighting PPP's achievements in government Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto said, "Under the PPP government, Pakistan was developing into a modern state. She recalled that it was the PPP government which had heralded the information age by introducing fax machines, digital pagers, fibre optic communications, cellular telephones, satellite dishes, computers, Internet, e-mail and even BBC and CNN into Pakistan. PPP had highest
rate of employment for the people of Pakistan because Under its government Pakistan integrated into the global economy to become one of the ten emerging capital markets of the world. She said that the billions of dollars in foreign investment that came into Pakistan during the PPP tenure was a vote of confidence in the stability of the country under the PPP as well as an endorsement that there was justice and peace in the country. PPP was bringing Pakistan into the modern era as a model to all Muslims of what moderate, enlightened Islam could accomplish for its people."

Regarding the consequences of illegal and unconstitutional termination of PPP government, she said, "With the end of the PPP government, there was a right turn in policies. Soon the activities and statements of Taliban and Al Qaeda began undermining the image of Pakistan. After the nuclear detonations in 1998 and the near war with India over Kargil in 1999, some commentators had begun writing of Pakistan as a failed state. This was a worrying factor for the people of Pakistan who had to reform the political system in the country urgently. Without such reform it was possible that once the crisis over the War against terror ended, Pakistan could again end up under strict international scrutiny. In this context, she said that the charges of nuclear black market and the A.Q. Khan affair were possible issues that could come back to haunt the country. She lamented the fact that the international community did not plan for a post-war Afghanistan built on democratic principles of coalition, consensus and cooperation following the withdrawal of the Soviets. She said that a moderate and democratic political structure in Afghanistan would have marginalized the Taliban and saved the region from further war and conflict as well as saved it from the narcotics trade which had ruined the lives of so many of the youth."

Former Prime Minister said, "A regime that could not allow a peaceful airport reception had any credibility in claiming that it could hold fair elections. She said that the reports were that discussions were taking place to rig the local elections. She said that if the local elections were rigged it would demonstrate that rather than moving forward, Islamabad under the present dispensation was moving backward. Therefore she said in assessing the situation in Pakistan, it was important to keep an eye on the forthcoming local elections. However, she said that local elections were not a substitute for general elections. She noted that the brewing discontent in the smaller provinces of Pakistan. She recalled that earlier discontent in former East Pakistan had resulted in the break up of the country. She said that in the days before the break up, there was so much arrogance that people would say they would smash the Bengali freedom movement. But they were wrong. She said similarly there are those who say they will crush the growing resistance in the smaller provinces to the denial of a fair share in the federal resources. However, she said that we must learn from the lesson of history that force is only a temporary reprieve and a political resolution is the permanent one which means giving all people and all provinces a fair stake in the affairs of the country. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto said that recently General Musharraf said that the Pakistan Peoples Party is a reality and he would like the support of liberal forces. Yet when tens of thousands pro-democracy supporters from all over Pakistan exercised their right to freedom of movement to welcome her husband at Lahore Airport earlier this month, they were brutally dispersed. She claimed that twenty one thousand peaceful citizens were locked in Police stations and jails. They were physically assaulted and verbally abused to crush their spirit and break their will. But they remained strong and determined. The harsh crackdown was a sober reminder of the politics of intolerance and immoderation that exist under the present dictatorship. This treatment was in stark contrast to the political freedoms granted the religious parties who are allowed to bus in their supporters and to hold rallies and marches. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto reflected that perhaps Islamabad wants to frighten the international community into accepting military dictatorship or facing the threat of religious dictatorship."

Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto said, "Genuine political space to the true elected representatives of the people is important to building stability and modernity in Pakistan. Otherwise the massive rise of religious parties will continue. She said that this political space was not being given to the political parties as the disruption of the Lahore reception for her husband on April 16, 2005 proved. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto quoted the Human Rights Watch official Brad Adams who had said, "General Musharraf talks of 'enlightened moderation' and says he is moving towards full democracy but democracies don't use force to prevent peacefully gatherings. There is nothing enlightened or moderate about arresting thousands of people who merely want to participate in the country's political process."