US' loss of interest in Pakistan a boon: Historian Ayesha Jalal


Posted on 27th Jan 2015 04:49 pm by mohit kumar

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.

Did you know?Explore Trending and Topic pages for more stories like this.
0 Like 0 Dislike
Previous news Next news
Other news

NEET paper leak: CBI collecting evidence in three states; Jharkhand principal in custody, accused Chintu-Mukesh in custody for three days

In the NEET paper leak case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified action in

West Indies' Pollard vows to return with vengeance

Port of Spain (Trinidad), Feb 12 (IANS) All-rounder Kieron Pollard has vowed to return with a v

Farmer Protest: The Shambhu border has not opened even after six days of the High Court order, now this is the strategy of farmers

Even after six days of the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Haryana government has

IPL 2024: 'Hardik is not just MI, he is also an Indian player', Virat made this appeal to Mumbai fans.

Mumbai Indians achieved their second win on their home ground on Thursday in IPL 2024. They defea

President Visit: President Draupadi Murmu will be visiting Nagaland today and tomorrow, followed by Mizoram and Sikkim

President Draupadi Murmu will be on a four-day visit to Nagaland, Mizoram, and Sikkim from Wednes

Sachin Tendulkar was in tears after seeing his son playing in IPL, why is Arjun Tendulkar's first over special?

In the 25th match of IPL 2023, Mumbai Indians defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 14 runs. In this ma

Covid-19: How much change in infection and symptoms in three years? Is the threat still there?

The world came to know about the novel coronavirus infection for the first time in the last weeks

CM Yogi was overjoyed with the success of Maha Kumbh, and said- 66.21 crore devotees took a dip; a world record was made.

The divine, grand, and cultural gathering Maha Kumbh, being organized on the land of the holy lan

Historic Government - RBI Agreement on Inflation Control

New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) As per the government's monetary policy framework agreement with the

IND vs ENG: Ashwin and Bairstow playing 100th Test in Dharamshala, this happened for the first time since 2013, creating history

The fifth and last match of the five-match Test series between India and England is being played

Sign up to write
Sign up now if you have flare of writing..
Login   |   Register
Follow Us
Indyaspeak @ Facebook Indyaspeak @ Twitter Indyaspeak @ Pinterest RSS



Play Free Quiz and Win Cash