Wanting an explanation and demanding answers, local Pakistanis ate dinner Thursday night with the founding father of the country?s constitution and senior legal adviser to Pakistan?s Supreme Court, Ahmed Raza Kasuri.
“You have so much more experience in Pakistan politics, but I represent Pakistan here and for the integrity of my country we want democracy there,” Usman Hashmi, of Woodstock, told Kusari over a meal at Shaheen Restaurant in Woodlawn.
Kasuri, who is in the U.S. until Sunday, spoke candidly with about 30 people who came to hear first-hand what is happening in Pakistan since President Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency, suspended the Constitution and gave authorities the power to throw thousands of lawyers and opposition activists into jail.
“No one is above the law. The president is competent under the constitution to declare an emergency,” Kasuri said. “In order to fight these forces trying to destabilize the county, to deal with that, you need an emergency.”
But the diners would not be thrown by patriotic responses and promises of stability for the country.
“How does arresting thousands of lawyers save the integrity of the country?” asked Reyaz Haque, of Woodlawn, who was frustrated by Kasuri’s avoidance of questions.
Kasuri compared Musharraf?s actions to the restrictions on civilian rights imposed by President George Bush following Sept. 11, 2001, saying the emergency is for the good of the country.
“Does America have a democracy where you can pick up anybody and arrest them? If America can do it, why can?t Pakistan?” Kasuri said in response to concerns that Musharraf has derailed democracy and created a dictatorship to save his own job.
The state of emergency could last months, but the chaos is expected to die down in the wake of Musharraf?s decision Thursday to hold elections Feb. 15, in which he will be illegible for re-election, Kasuri said.
“Democracy is not a push button process,” he said.”Give us time.”
