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This documentary starring Musharraf has protesters calling for a ban in London
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This documentary starring Musharraf has protesters calling for a ban in London

Insha'Allah Democracy has been criticised as "glorifying military rule" but director says the film is a political satire
Images Staff
Updated 09 Mar, 2018

Pakistani activists in the UK have called for a ban on the screening of documentary Insha'Allah Democracy at the ongoing Human Rights Watch's Film Festival in London. However, the film is running as scheduled today and tomorrow.

The documentary, which heavily features former Pakistani President Pervez Musharaf, takes the viewer on the director Mohammed Ali Naqvi's personal journey of voting in the past Pakistani election as he discovers if "democracy is achievable in a country undergoing political and religious upheaval."

Activists who petitioned Human Rights Watch to cancel the film's screening claim that the film "legitimises and glorifies military dictatorial rules and undermines civilian/parliament supremacy".

In a press release, director Mohammed Ali Naqvi responded to the claims, saying, "Had they seen the film, the petitioners would know that Insha’Allah Democracy is critical of military rule and actually advocates Pakistan’s journey towards democracy.”

He added, "I have come to expect Pakistan's Film Censor Board to ban my films. They banned my previous film Among The Believers. However, this time it was activists who tried to have my latest film Insha'Allah Democracy censored. They were trying to silence me without even having watched the film."

In conversation with Images, Naqvi added, ""I think sarcasm is also lost here. And the film is a political satire."

HRW itself has issued a statement, assuring festival attendees that the film, in fact, will "remind people about Musharraf’s abuses and jumpstart a conversation about addressing them."

The statement stresses that "Musharraf’s answers to Naqvi’s questions provide a rare insight into the dictator’s mind. But it should not be confused with glorifying Musharraf."

The Inshallah Democracy screening is taking place at HRW film festival's venues today and tomorrow. Naqvi says he is planning to bring the film to Pakistan in the summer.

Comments

chengez k Mar 09, 2018 03:09pm
perfect
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Harmony-1© Mar 09, 2018 03:32pm
Its Pakistani activists who are calling for a ban. No doubt with political a agenda. Otherwise, no one asks for a political documentary to be silenced in the West - be it 'glorifying' dictatorship. Did any non-Pakistani activists join them?
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Demo Mar 09, 2018 03:45pm
Goodness me, liberals need NOT act like intolerant religious right. The social justice warriors should understand that democratic culture encourages democratic, tolerant discussion and collision of ideas, else how will people learn the virtues of democracy?
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ak Mar 09, 2018 03:46pm
O this is BS. Are we seriously going to be quiet about this.
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Saif Zulfiqar Mar 09, 2018 03:50pm
Muslim countries runs properly under military rules or kings/Shaikhs/sultans etc,
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Ehsan Mar 09, 2018 04:41pm
Musharaff was far better than any of these so called democrats
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Muslim Medina Mar 09, 2018 04:49pm
Whatever we think about dictators, the fact is Pakistanis feel safer under military rule.
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Junaid Ali Mar 09, 2018 06:26pm
Pakistani activists should do something better than stealing limelight by Indulging in such nonsense activities
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Bornapakistani Mar 09, 2018 08:25pm
From the little promo here, this seems like an awesome documentary. Musharraf has been no doubt the greatest leader this country has had especially for the people. Debt was taken care off, the people had buying power, all the cars came to this country after him. Rs. 60 to the dollar, in the rate of the US$ now, we are twice the price now. Womens rights were not only highlighted but the PPP's bills that were never passed during BB time, were actually passed due to Musharraf. Pakistan and the people of Pakistan had some respect when due to Musharraf's leadership, where are we now. CPEC is nothing for the people. The Gwadar Port was Musharraf, the freedom of the Press was also due to Musharraf. Pakistan is ruled by the hands of Hyenas and thugs and so called religious men who are more religious than the Saudis! This was not the idea of Pakistan.
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Naim Mar 09, 2018 08:32pm
Protesters must be pro pmln,ppp supporters,even in the u.k pro corrupt pakistani government supporters exist.
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Humza Mar 09, 2018 08:40pm
It's a source of shame that a character like Musharraf is allowed to be at large. He was an embarrassment then as a dictator and he is just as big an embarrassment now because he insists on getting attention. Does this man not understand that he was lucky to escape justice and run away to Dubai for his so called medical care? If he insists on dragging Pakistan's name down, Musharraf should be extradited and charged and placed in jail where he belongs.
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Omair Mar 09, 2018 09:08pm
This documentry should be shown all around Pakistan for free to illustrate abuse of power is never ever justified and believing that someone is above the law is unacceptable. never again.
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naji Mar 09, 2018 10:02pm
In Pakistan, democracy mean power of 450 thugs sitting in NA and 100 super Thugs in Senate. Other than these Thugs, looters, murderers, plunderers, kidnappers, friends of Uzair Baloch, Baba Ladla, Rehman Dacate, Papu, Rao Anwar, Abid Boxer of Lahore, are sitting in all four Provincial Assemblies. Democracy Zindabad for these people. Foe people of Pakistan, no basic education, No Health program, No transport, no Jobs, No population control, No water supply system, No electricity, No courts. Sham on this democracy.
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Akbar Ali Shah Mar 09, 2018 10:04pm
Thanks MAQ, was looking forward to it.
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Yawar Mar 09, 2018 10:41pm
Musharraf is absolutely correct in that Pakistan has done far better under military rule than under democracy and that the democratically elected leaders have not done anything for the country because they have put themselves and their families first. This could change if we elect people who are capable of leading the country and who are willing to live simply like our Liaquat Ali Khan and India's Abdul Kalam.
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Khawaja Aziz Mar 09, 2018 10:43pm
This so called protester does not represents Pakistan or its Citizens. He is acting and serving his personal interest and not of the country. Which civilian / parliamentary system he is talking about. The contrabution civilian rulers from so many decades have only destroyed and destabilzed the country and if you only do the fact you will find the only time Pakistan made any substantial economic progress was only and under dictatorships with few exceptiond and not under pravailing civilion members of the parlimnant. .
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Khan Mar 09, 2018 11:25pm
Countries like Pakistan, education at its minimum, A-level corruption made permanant home in DNA, surrounded with enimies what not. Democracy is nothing but a poision - we need only Presidential rule with iron fist.
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Must learn Mar 10, 2018 05:03am
Atleast Gen(red) Pervez Musharraf proved to be Mr Clean. No corruption charge against him.
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Roz Mar 10, 2018 08:01am
Who will watch in pakistan it is English
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kathy Mar 10, 2018 08:02am
People need to watch this documentary to understand the mindset that still prevails in Pakistan. Rather than banning, it should be shown freely to all those who support boots and see their self righteousness and delusions of grandeur. This spineless dictator run away from the country rather than facing the court and is living in looted luxury, still have the audacity to talk about service to the people of Pakistan.
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Shah Mar 10, 2018 08:28am
What you see in Pakistan is not democracy as practiced in countries like Canada, Norway and Germany and not like tye word democracy is understood in the english language. Here you have family owned parties which passed down to children.
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Lina (Canada) Mar 10, 2018 10:05am
But this dictator out performed all your civilian governments. Your exchange rate didn't was stead fast, he empowered your local governments, gave freedom to media, etc etc etc. One of the serving Generals of Indian army once said, "leaders like Musharraf are not born everyday, Pakistanis have gone blind".
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Muneer Mar 10, 2018 11:03am
Pakistani liberals are as intolerant as extremists.
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A. Ali Mar 10, 2018 04:15pm
I would sue human rights watch for backing and supporting present form of democracy in Pak. This democracy is worse form of dictatorship...
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A Sheikh Mar 10, 2018 06:11pm
Agree with the comments of General Musharraf in the clip - 100% true.
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Mihammad Mar 10, 2018 08:33pm
That is the truth! A military dictatorship is better than politicians Pakistan has to offer.
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