
Kolkata, Jan 24 (IANS) America's loss of interest in Pakistan was a boon, according to historian Ayesha Jalal who Saturday said encouraging signs were there for democracy to return and thrive in the country often described as a "failed state".
Delivering the 125th Sarat Chandra Bose Anniversary lecture here, the Pakistan-American historian also called for giving time to Pakistan to become a functional democracy.
"The best thing that has happened to Pakistan in years is America is losing interest. Those who want to see the return of democracy in Pakistan, they would certainly hope that America takes less interest in Pakistan because its only interest has been the army," said the Tufts University professor.
"Pakistan's problem has been continuous disruption of the political process by the military. Democracy is a conflict but a managed one and Pakistan now has come to realise that this is what is needed.
"Despite the terror and despite everything, in the present conjecture many opportunities do exist, as there is a realisation that this is the way forward," she said.
Jalal, the author of "The struggle for Pakistan: a Muslim homeland and global politics" also said the judiciary's steady assertiveness will ensure that the military will chose not to intervene directly.
"But that doesn't mean the military will not be the dominant institution. It will change only after decades of uninterrupted parliamentary government.
"The state institutions are so fragmented because of years of authoritarianism, nepotism and political interference that the break in the institutions' ethos, until that is restored, it would be difficult to ensure a proper delivery system. That is why I say Pakistan needs to be given time," she said.
Jalal also expressed displeasure about Pakistan being called a "failed state".
"I also want to ask about the narrative about Pakistan being a failed state. A failed state by whose standard, by the western standard, by India's standard? I don't think this is a useful categorisation," she said.
Jalal asserted that the Dec 16 Peshawar school attack has made the authorities intensify the fight against terrorism and called for re-imposing the moratorium on the death penalty, that was lifted after the massacre that claimed the lives of 145 people, the majority of them children.
Our worst performance in World Cup: Angelo Mathews
Sydney, March 18 (IANS) Describing their loss to South Africa in the quarter-final as their wor
Odisha government says will resolve potato issue
Bhubaneswar, March 24 (IANS) The Odisha government will commence procurement of the potato crop
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday participated in the 14th BRICS summit organized by China
The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway stands as an unparalleled example of the balance between developmen
The central government has presented the country's GDP figures for the fourth quarter ended Tuesd
Indian Railways has always been making special arrangements for the passengers on festivals. Keep
India has not lost any series to South Africa in T20 in the last five years. The first match of t
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visi
Many parties have announced their candidates for the assembly elections in Karnataka. After the a
West Bengal: Blast before CM Mamta's nephew Abhishek Banerjee's Medinipur rally, TMC leader injured
There was a huge explosion in East Medinipur of West Bengal last night. There is news of some peo