A Time for Sacrifices
Pakistan is in a state. Last week, its president, Pervez Musharraf, suspended its constitution and declared a state of emergency, citing as justification the threats to national stability posed by violence from Islamic extremists and by a judiciary alleged to be deliberately undermining his government's commitment to the 'war on terror'.
The question of just how far a government should go to protect its people is perhaps more complex than we'd like to admit. It may seem easy, from the comfort of the democracy we so take for granted in Britain, to pass judgement on General Musharraf's decision; but we may think rather differently when it comes to the stability of our own country and such issues as censorship, identity cards and detention without trial.
That said, many people in Pakistan have declared their opposition to this new turn of events. The sacked Chief Justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, has accused General Musharraf of 'ripping the constitution to shreds' and has called on Pakistan's lawyers to pass on the message that the people should 'rise up' to effect its restoration. 'This is a time for sacrifices,' he said. And he was heard. Protesting lawyers have been extremely vocal, chanting, 'There will be war till the constitution is restored' and 'Chaudhry, we are ready to die for you.'
This raises the question: How far should a people go to protect themselves from their own government? And, beyond that, how far should our commitment to anything extend?
We will almost certainly give different answers to the former, but we ought to be able to find common ground in response to the latter. To identify ourselves as Christians is to declare that we have accepted the call to follow the Christ who says to us: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it' (Luke 9:23f). Or, if you like: 'You must be ready to die for me.'
This Sunday, we shall once again stop to remember all those who have literally given their lives in the service of our country. Doubtless, we could debate the legalities of the conflicts in which they died, but dare we let that blind us to the lesson they have to teach us about what true commitment really means?
Nigel Hopper
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