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.

0 Like 0 Dislike
Previous news Next news
Other news

LPL 2023: Babar Azam won the hearts of the fans, but will not wear the jersey with the logo of the betting company in the Lanka Premier League

Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has refused to endorse and wear apparel bearing the logo

Sonam Raghuvanshi: So did Sonam throw Raja's body in the ditch? Many secrets were revealed in front of SIT; Albert told about the scooter.

Sonam Raghuvanshi, who murdered her husband Raja Raghuvanshi on their honeymoon and threw his bod

Raju Srivastava's condition is critical again: Swelling in one part of the brain, frequent seizures; Mahamrityunjay chanting started on Kailash Kher's suggestion

Comedian Raju Srivastava's condition has become critical once again. He has been having frequent

Virat Kohli is just one century away from this world record, will leave Ricky Ponting behind

Virat Kohli World Record: The fourth and last match of the Test series between India and England

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Whose decision was it not to field Priyanka Gandhi? Congress President Kharge replied

Amidst the Lok Sabha elections, there were speculations that Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi woul

16th day of Unlock-1 in Jharkhand - Total 1807 Corona positive cases, clothes and shoes shops and salons will be decided today

Ranchi / Dhanbad / Jamshedpur. A decision on the opening of clothing and footwear shops and salon

Rajasthan to hold roadshows to attract investment

Jaipur, March 31 (IANS) With an aim to bring investment in the state, the Rajasthan government

Obama, Modi talks begin

New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) Bilateral summit level talks between visiting US President Barack Obam

Festival Sale: This great phone from Redmi is getting cheap on Amazon, it is competing with

The cycle of e-commerce platforms SAIL continues continuously before Diwali. You can shop for thi

Virat Kohli was spotted having lunch with his daughter Vamika in London, cute pictures of father-daughter went viral on social media

Indian team's star batsman Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma have recently become parents f

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