Insha’Allah Democracy

Mohammed Ali Naqvi reflects on the possibility of true democracy in Pakistan in this documentary centering on the 2013 election that returned Nawaz Sharif to power after having been removed from the premiership twice before, in 1993 and 1999. The focus of the film, however, is on Pervez Musharraf, whom Sharif appointed army chief of staff in 1998, only to be deposed by Musharraf in a military coup the following year. Naqvi admired the relatively moderate positions that Musharraf took during the initial period of his presidency—especially the protection of minority Shiite Muslims like Naqvi—but Musharraf’s decision to support the U.S. after 9/11 led to his increasing unpopularity at home, and by 2008 he had adopted repressive policies that ultimately resulted in forced resignation and exile. After Musharraf decided to run again, Naqvi got permission to interview him in Dubai, and then followed his campaign after Musharraf returned—albeit still under indictment—to Pakistan. Insha’Allah Democracy presents as personal a portrait as one can reasonably expect of a man who, like most politicians, was always promoting a self-image. But it also captures the vicissitudes of a campaign that was marred by continuing religious sectarianism, hatred of Musharraf for his supposed sell-out to the West, and even suspicion among his former allies in Washington about whether he had helped conceal Osama bin Laden. Although Naqvi is hardly happy about the outcome in which the candidate he calls “the crook” beat “the dictator” (he interviewed Musharraf again during the latter’s house arrest), he expresses pleasure over the peaceful passage of power. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)