by its powerful neighbour India.
Today strong nationalist West Frontier Province(NWFP).
most ebullient bourgeoispolitician?
GENERAL Zia's Pakistan is best symbolised by one of the more gruesome debates currently dividing the nation. Should thieves have their hands amputated or just the fingers?
The 'moderates' argue that to remove the whole would be a sin as the disabled "thief" would no longer be able to pray. They are satisfied with merely detaching the fingers.
The 'hardhiners" reply that the hand could then be used to steal again!
This bizarre application of orthodox Muslim punishments is related to the country's economic situation.
Zia and his political supporters hope that in this way they will ensure the full financial backing of Saudi Arabia.
His supporters are essentially the anniversary of its tortured existence next August. It has seen the bulk of its population opting for the new state of Bangladesh. It has been humiliated militarily currents exist in the minority provinces of Sind, Baluchistan and the North It is against this backdrop that the decision of the generals to hang Bhutto (for that is what appears most likely) must be seen. How long will Pakistan outlive its organised in the Jamaat-i-Islam (party Islam). grouping always been well-organised and well-financed by the So for both ideological and material reasons the turn to Islam serves a useful purpose and acts as a cover for the hand repressive measures carriedout bythearmy.
As we go to press it is still not clear whether bnuno to be nanged.
Pakistanis, regardless of their political beliefs, believe that a dead Bhutto will be dangerous than a Zia and however, seem to be obsessed with their own future.
They feel that Bhutto alive, albeit in prison, dILCHIaLIYC military thirty-second AFGHANISTAN neo-fascist BALUCHISTAN of has Larkana af Saudis.
being Zia will allow Most HOIC live one. downfall.
generals, SnIS more General Zia Chief of the precisely for his lack of intellect would be a (even by military standards). So LIC the chance are that he will, as he and might promised, LICH blighter.
-Islamabad NWFP.
PUNJAB RaY Sutlet 'Sukkur Dam SIND 1.
Kotri Dam ,--3 is shortsighted, but was appointed Jamaat-i-Islami Army Staff able to together for long?
ments it appears that *hang the number of politicians
KASHMIR
• •Srinagar This •Sialkot •Lahore S the masses.
Delhi. the result.
the left.
INDIA Against • Miles And what of Pakistan after tHe goods. the hanging? Will Zia and the be white-robed hold the country They From the dictator's state once Bhutto has been removed and a dis- they In any event the country's future appears limited. Only a thoroughgoing ies. lution could put the country back on the rails again.
prospect is not as it appears: For Bhutto's hanging might or might not result in immediate mass anger. What it will do is create a real hatred for the army and its political backers among the most oppressed sections of Social upheavals would be Whether they are transformed into a revolution will depend on the strength of CYCL The World Bank's report on paints gloomy picture for the masses. The trade deficit this year is likely to be the highest ever - $2 billion. The bank further forecasts a massive increase in imports and a massive increase in inflation.
these very real pressures of capitalism and the world market, no amount of Islamic rhetoric economic measures can deliver The Saudis are not simply philanthropists. zare prepared pay for their army and plots. educating the more backward Saudi students alla a cw oler sericess will bail out Zia's arming of right-wing Afghani counterrevolutionarThe instability in Iran makes country undependable. So Zia will soon find himself confronted by a pincer movement on the internal and external flanks.
Pakistan will probably see a few more coups before its fate is finally decided.
Pakistani socialists must be in the forefront of the fight against the military dictatorship. But they should at the same time guard their political independence and not fall prey talented bourgeois politicians.
Bhutto was the most able bourgeois leader the country possessed. I recall him telling me in 1969: "There are only two ways. Either that of Che, in which case you should go to the Baluchi mountains, or my way. That means compromises.
History has shown that the latter offers nothing to be Lasses caccot more sacances It will be up to Pakistani socialists to demonstrate that there is a third way.
If they fail they might find themselves without a country as Zia's sordid politics lead to the splintering and final demise of 32-year old confessional monstrosity. | and planning future actions by the solidarity movement.
Unfortunately, it has been called at very short notice, but Socialist Challenge supporters who are able should still try te get themselves delegated. And of course everyone who can should turn up on the day.
Further details of local and national events in the month of action are available from the AAM, Charlotte Street, London W1. A full list will appear in the March issue of Anti-Apartheid News. illiberality - an object lesson