Waiting for Democracy

Since he took over last October, Pakistan's benign military dictator, President Mohammed Ayub Khan, has cracked down on corruption, raised the value of the rupee by vigorous economic measures, and made a start on land reform. What he has not done is give his country political democracy. Last week a passion for liberty broke through Pakistan's gratitude for order. The occasion: a Karachi reception honoring a member of Ayub's Cabinet, scholarly Foreign Minister Manzur Qadir. Also in the audience was the regime's Interior Minister. Unintimidated, Zahirul Hasnain Lahri, the respected president of the Karachi Bar Association and former judge of Pakistan's high court, spoke out: "We are unhappy at the absence of a constitution ... a state without a constitution is like a boat without an oar. It can float anywhere and be carried away by the wind, however strong the boatman."

Lahri went on to lambast General Ayub for delaying elections and the re-establishment of Parliament. A little nonplused, Foreign Minister Qadir, speaking in his "personal capacity," thanked Lahri for an "illuminating address," agreed that a constitution is needed, and added, "I join you in hoping that the rule of law will permeate every institution in our land. But, he explained, it is too early for democratic institutions.

The government-controlled Karachi radio ignored the speech entirely. And, mindful of General Ayub's recent seizure of Pakistan's best-edited daily (the leftwing) Pakistan Times), Karachi newspapers hesitated a day or two before daring to print a few of Lahri's remarks.

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