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 model of Ghazwa-e-Hind was prepared for terror in India. Its command was in the hands of Paki
The people of Pakistan, who are suffering from the economic crisis, are facing inflation along wi
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) led by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, popularly known as 'Captain Cool',
Swine flu kills 90 in Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal, Feb 19 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Narottam Mishra Thursday said the deadly s
Rahul not allowed to work independently: Digvijay Singh
New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is not being allowed to function
Modi Congratulates Tonga's Newly Elected PM
New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday congratulated Tonga's newly elected
New Delhi, Agencies. Vaccination continues amid the growing threat of the coronavirus in the coun
Will trains run after lockdown? Railway Ministry gave its answer
The country has a lockdown until April 14 to stop the corona virus from spreading. During this ti
Actor Sanjay Dutt, one of the veteran actors of the Bollywood industry, is in discussions these d
Pork can be India's Cheap Protein Fix
Panaji, Feb 20 (IANS) Eating pork could be a cheap protein fix for Indians and cultivation of r
