A lot of people were (and still are) amazed at Pervez Musharraf's decision to come back to Pakistan, to contest the just concluded general election. As daft & unrealistic his decision to vie for votes and save Pakistan might seem, it has been one of the most important moments in Pakistan's history.
Firstly, Pakistan which has been ruled by military dictators for than half of its existence, has never before seen an erstwhile military head of state being arrested. That moment alone, ought to have inspired many millions rooting for the cause of democracy. For all its faults and vindictiveness, the system in Pakistan seems to have gotten something right. The image and narratives of an ex-General running from court and his subsequent arrest; has to have satisfied people's need for justice. Moreover, it also serves an important notice to the Generals sitting in Islamabad, who until now have thought themselves to be above the law. These events will have a long standing effect on the military establishment's psyche.
People in the military might look down upon Musharraf for subjecting himself to the law of the civilians, but that arrogance alone has been the bane of the country for a long time now. This moment in Pakistan's history will be hard to forget and in the scenario the military does choose to pull a ghajini, the fight back will be more intense than ever.
Secondly, there is no greater endorsement of the democratic process than being a part of it. When Musharraf decided to participate in the electoral process, he not only endorsed the need for a working democracy in Pakistan, he also foretold the future for Pakistan's military. It is about time that the country stops running on agendas set by war mongering- fear inducing-power hungry generals.
The lessons this shift brings out, for Pakistan and India are extremely valuable. If Pakistan, got around to fixing its own mess, there would be little time to meddle in affairs which promise to take the country back to chaos and violent capitulation.
What Musharraf has done here by subjecting himself to the judicial and the political system of the country is to make sure that these arms of the government are returned to their intended positions of hierarchy. India would do well to learn lessons from our village-bum cousin. We have had a number of ex-head of states (and thousands of politicians & bureaucrats) under investigation for a variety of alleged crimes. And they have all got away. It is about time we too bring these abusers of power to task, it is time we uphold the faith we so easily put in our sputtering democracy.
Lastly, Musharraf seems to have learnt his lessons quickly. He is one of the few from his class of dictators to be alive. The fact that he chose to come back and then be denied and jailed, does entitle him to redemption. It does entitle him some credit for helping his country move in the right direction. And the way all well-meaning intentions end up in a democracy, it does entitle him to failure. At the hand of seasoned, corrupt politicians.
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