Enlightened Moderation Can be Achieved Through Action
Khalid Khokhar

President General Pervez Musharraf’s thesis of “enlightened moderation”, has been widely debated in the printed media eliciting mixed response of admiration as well as raising skepticism regarding the document. Nevertheless, there may still be enough room for improvisation of the hypothesis and yet it entails justifications by the politically-conscious Pakistani intelligentsia.  Ever since the inception of Pakistan in 1947, Pakistan has been struggling very hard to earn better rating on the chart of ‘good governance’ maintained by international community.  However, political strife coupled with unemployment, terrorism, feudalism, crime, absolute lawlessness by the powerful, have continued unabated under different civilian government in power. At a number of occasions, leaders of various political parties requested Army men to intervene in the politics and save the country from cracking of its political infrastructure. Musharraf has tried to repair the damage done by the past civilian governments by bringing in revolutionary reforms in all sectors. Pakistan needs someone a powerful leader (like Musharraf) who is strong to steer the country to prosperity and put it on the way to continuous and gradual development.

Even before 9/11 terrorist attacks on WTC, the government had decided to root-out the menace of terrorism and sectarian violence in the country. Nevertheless, Islamabad encountered a very threatening situation when the United States invaded Afghanistan. In this changing scenario, the only option left was to reject extremism and aligned with US in the US-led war on terror.  The general masses and the entire Muslim world as well hailed President Musharraf's call to shun the path of terrorism, sectarian violence and extremism and adopt progression and moderation. His allout endeavours to take the country towards enlightenment was not a new thing. In fact, Pakistan was created on the basis of Islamic ideology coupled with moderation.  Allama Iqbal longed for a moderate and politically-conscious country.  Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his several speeches advocated formation of a moderate and progressive society for the Muslims of the sub-continent. The Quaid observed enlightened and progressive ideas throughout his life.  President Musharraf's plan of enlightened moderation is not his own creation but it is based on Quaid's vision of Muslim society as a separate identity.

Majority of the population undoubtedly favours progression, enlightenment and moderation.  However, it is very unfortunate that Pakistani society is currently divided into two segments having extreme views which impede the path of enlightened moderation and are the source of creating diversifications and chaos in the society. One group is opposed to progress and modern science and technology while the other group comprising ultra-modern intellectuals does not want to seek inspiration from the teachings of Quran and Hadith.  Both the groups are not ready to adopt the course of reconciliation and dialogue. However, there is a need to bring these two extremist elements on one platform and seek “middle of the road” approach between them.  The splendid blend of both the ideologies forms the actual foundation of enlightenment moderation advocated by the Quaid, Allama Iqbal and now President Musharraf.  All the socializing agents like schools, colleges, research institutions, parents, teachers, etc. are morally-bound to inculcate in the immature minds of the future generation a thinking pattern ‘congruent to moderation’.

In a quest to achieve their objectives, the Americans tried to take modern society on the course of extremism and fundamentalism during US-Russia confrontation in Afghanistan in 1979.  The then government and those radicals who were opposed to the Quaid's enlightened scheme, helped the United States. The Americans fully exploited the spirit of jihadism among youth of Pakistan and other Muslim countries and resultantly these radical elements got hold of the reign of Afghanistan.  Consequently, a crop of armed guerillas and terrorists emerged after the war, unwilling to accept any rational and logical advice.  The Afghan war infused in the mind of new generation that fighting against infidels and killing them is an Islamic act. These elements were unable to understand that their activities were not the teaching of Islam but some other country.  Presently, when counter-terrorism operation is underway in Pakistan, the radical elements having vested interests are hampering the move and rejecting the path of progression, tolerance and moderation.

In order to bring round a section of people to the desired thinking pattern, a comprehensive programme is needed to carry forward the agenda of enlightened moderation.  The groups opposing to reforms need to be told and convinced that the government's reform process is not part of an American agenda but the agenda of Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal. It is very disheartening to see that moderate segments of the Pakistani society are now opposing to their own objectives as the slogan of enlightened moderation is given by a General and President not elected as per any democratic procedure. Despite that the slogan of enlightened moderation serves the best interest of Pakistan, it has been considered as an agenda of the country's armed forces.  President and Prime Minister of Pakistan want to transform the society and atmosphere of the country on the basis of principles of enlightened moderation. For this purpose, practical steps are very imperative. This will help in creating general awareness among various segments of the society. The start of dialogue with these segments will also help in removing doubts from their minds.  Pakistanis should enjoy a modern life and amenities of a prosperous country.  The country cannot proceed on the track of progress with long speeches and loud slogans. On the contrary, such things create an impression among the masses that rulers only think about their personal as well as parties' interests. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to satisfy anti-reform elements with such practical steps that can bring meaningful progress in the country.