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.
The relations between Turkey and Pakistan are not hidden from anyone. Being both Islamic nations,
The government has blocked 10 YouTube channels trying to spread religious frenzy through fake new
Amid rising cases of black fungus, another disease in the country, AIIMS director Dr. Randeep Gul
Our country is full of talent. Every day the story of some talented person keeps coming to the fo
Withdrawing from IPL may cost players, BCCI preparing to rein in
The number of foreign cricketers who pulled out of the tournament after being sold for big bucks
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) young all-rounder Sam Curran has reached the United Arab Emirates to pa
Was Esha Gupta Hardik Pandya's dream girl? The bold queen said- we were on a dating stage...
Along with Hardik Pandya's cricket career, his fans are also impatient to know about his love lif
The comedian opened a letter to Supreme Court judges and the central government's biggest lawyer
Swine flu: Bengal to open more testing centres
Kolkata, Feb 24 (IANS) The West Bengal government Tuesday decided to open more swine flu testin
The condition of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan is stable now. His operation lasted an hou
