by Muhammad Awais Aftab
Published on: Mar 28, 2004
Topic:
Type: Short Stories

At some point in distant future, there will be a country; a country with extremely high economic disparity, but something will change the situation. The country will have a President; to some he will be a "merciless bastard" and to others he will be a "national hero". Let me tell you the story of why there will be such contradictory views about him.

The trial takes place at the Supreme Court. The whole trial will be hundred percent secret. No reporter will ever hear a word of what happens inside:

Plaintiff lawyer: Are you the President of this country?

President: Yes.

Plaintiff lawyer: And your constitutional powers are within a limit?

President: Yes

Plaintiff lawyer: Is it true that according to a recent constitutional amendment, the Chief of Army Staff was bound to follow your advice?

President: Yes.

Plaintiff lawyer: And is it also true that a two weeks ago, you gave a written order to the Chief of Army Staff?

President: Yes.

Plaintiff lawyer: Would you like to tell us about that 'advice'?

President: It was a brief order and clearly stated that the gas, code named G.S., was to be released in large quantities in the province 'A'.

Plaintiff lawyer: Do you know the properties of this gas G.S.?

President: Yes, it is specifically designed to eliminate all human life within a certain radius, and then disintegrate within a small time.

Plaintiff lawyer: So you consciously gave this order to eliminate the whole population of province 'A'?

President: Yes.

Plaintiff lawyer: And you know what the punishment for such an act is?

President: Yes, death.

The Plaintiff lawyer smirked and looked at the panel of Judges, "The plaintiff rests."

The defence lawyer came forward.

Defence Lawyer: Mr. President, it seems like you are very confident that what you did was right.

President: Yes.

Defence Lawyer: Would you like to explain why you did this apparently cruel act?

President: When I became the President of this country, I immediately realized that this nation had a potential to prosper in every field, but one major thing was blocking the way; population. The growth rate was extremely high. The economic growth rate was way behind. When I saw the statistics I found out that 40% of our population was in the least developed province 'A', with population density five times that of any other place in the country. The literacy rate was a poor 5%. Those people were hungry and needed food, yet still bred children like rabbits. They were illiterate and didn't want their children to read as well. They were religious extremists and reluctant to use contraceptives. They ate up a big chunk our resources but in return gave us little. To reform them, it would have taken a hundred years. In simple words they a heavy burden on our economy. Look what we have achieved by eliminating them. We now have more food to utilize, more electricity, reducing power shortage, more clean water, below than world average birth rate, decrease in unemployment, increase in literacy rate and more efficient utilization of resources. I have removed a heavy burden and I feel no shame. What I did was for the country's benefit.

Defence Lawyer: My Lord, the defence rests.

The next day, Supreme Court will give its decision: The President will be freed from all charges and had the full confidence of the Judges.

Years later that country will become a super power. What do you think? Will his actions make him a "merciless bastard" or a "national hero"?


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