
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 most awaited teaser of Sonu Sood's film 'Fateh' has finally been released. The teaser of the
Smartphone brand Poco has launched its mid-range smartphone Poco F5 5G in India. This phone has b
State funeral for cartoonist Laxman
Pune (Maharashtra), Jan 27 (IANS) In a rare honour, the Maharashtra government has decided to ac
Military helicopters attacked a school in Myanmar. 13 people died in the attack, including 7 chil
American airplane company Boeing will invest Rs 1,600 crore in research and development (R&D)
World Cup at home a dream come true: Anderson
Christchurch, Feb 14 (IANS) New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson, who was adjudged the Man-of
I&B ministry bags award for 'significant' online presence
New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) The ministry of Information & Broadcasting was on Tuesday confer
Due to the scorching heat, the electricity demand is increasing across the country. In such a sit
Mumbai attack mastermind and Lashkar-e-Taiba mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi arrested
Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the 26/11 attack in Mumbai and the leader of Lashkar-e-Ta
JOSAA Counseling 2022 Result: The process of choice filling for joint seat allotment by JOSAA Cou