Article - 6

Due to certain unfortunate and one after the other civil and military misunderstandings the general political atmosphere in the country sharpened to a degree where some of the political stalwarts quite openly solicited military intervention and many a TV anchor along with the political and defence analysts were brazenly discussing the possibility of yet another Martial Law in Pakistan. Surprisingly, none of them thought of or talked of article-6,  much trumpeted by the Noon Leaguers like the Khawajas, Siddiq ul Farooq and Zafar Ali Shah etc. which according to them had sealed the fate of any future Ta’l e Azma  once for all!!  But has it really?  Was it (Article-6) not there in 1977 and 1999 and yet at another time in 2007?  Did Zia and Musharraf have any real contemplation for its being there?  We have had Penal Code Section 302 and “Hanging till Death” since ages but has it stopped  murders and murdering?  So, please let there be no complacency and smugness, article-6 or no article-6, if someone is forced by the circumstances (read bad and corrupt governance to the detriment of Pakistan) to come, come he will. The only thing that can prevent it from happening is that all state institutions must work within their limits and to their utmost honest and fair competence.

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)