I did initially support Musharraf as I did not see Pakistan having any other viable options. Benazir and Nawaz Sharif are write offs. But lately our President has completely lost his mind. He sacked the chief justice on account of his insecurity.
Chief justice was then supported by the opposition parties and more importantly by the lawyer association. After addressing in some cities the ex cheif justice went to Karachi, where his procession was openly stopped by fire and arms by MQM (a political party).
40 plus people got killed and there was open firing on the streets in Karachi. As per Imran Khan this was sponsored by Mushrarraf and Imran Khan is right.
If anyone saw his recent interview in hardtalk BBC, it was really good.
One important point raised by Imran Khan. The world is behind Musharraf (Pakistan) to tackle these terrorist issues. The biggest terrorist of Pakistan is Altaf Hussain, leader of MQM and what does UK do with him ? They gave him nationality ! Great fight on terror.
While USA & UK would claim that Musharraf's role is vital for fight against terror and it would seem so. But the fact is extreemism has increased in Pakistan since the time Musharraf came. Should USA & UK really be suporting him ?
Bik, granted (and it's easy to grant) that Musharraf is not good enough, what do you suggest as the alternative? Is the best option a through- and- through tough military dictatorship, such as Pakistan has known in the past? Musharraf comes across as a weak leader. He finds himself trying to appease those who may favour terrorism and/or a degree of Islamic fundamentalism, whilst making the right noises in the direction of the West, does he not ?
I agree for now that we cant see an alternative and bringing back Nazaw and Benazir would be taking Pakistan go back to 10 years and re-starting again in the direction of corruption. My personal choice is Imran Khan. But all this is Pakistan problem and internal matter and we Pakistanis are ourselves to blame for it.
Musharraf has been really caught in the middle and wants to hang on to his chair at any cost. The question of alternative to Musharraf has to be answered either now or later, why later? I now cant see Musharraf making any positive developments for Pakistan and nor on war on terror.
Part of our political instability is due to lack of accountability of the corrupt and people controlling milita groups (& big landlords). Lack of accoutability is due to weak judiciary, lack of commitment of those in power AND political assylum given by foreign countries. Nawaz given assylum by Saudia Arabia, Benazir by so many countries and Altaf by UK.
CNN was not covering this incident a lot but BBC did. They actually should have taken action on the red mosque some 3 months ago when the problem started. On this issue I will proberbly side with Musharraf. The Opposition unfortunately is just going to say the opposite of what Musharraf does. The dumb ass people/civilians/students had all the opportunity to leave the mosque or surrender. Their parents were apparently sleeping for 3 months...
The other main development is that Musharaf has lost the coart case of firing the Chief Justice. And the Chief Justice has been reinstated. That is perhaps another good news.
After the supreme court over ruled Musharraf's decision of sacking the Chief Justice, today the very same courts dismiised cases challenging that Musharraf cant hold both the office, ie 'Head of Army' and the 'President of Pakistan'. So Musharraf has gotten some relief for the moment. Nawaz Sharif was sent back again. Benazir is ready to accept Musharraf as President if she is allowed to run for the third time (change the constitution) and dismiss all charges against her.
Going to be very interesting in the next 3 or 4 months in Pakistan.
Musharraf's actions since the time when he sacked CJ of Pakistan are acts of desparation. He unfortunately has not been able to control terrorism in the country for various reasons. I still favoured him as he was blocking the entry of former prime minister 'Nawaz and Benazir'. Now it looks that the deal with Benazir is almost done. She will accept him and he will dismiss past decades corruption charges against her (and her party). So there goes the last reason for supporting Musharraf. Right now in Pakistan all channels are blocked except for the Pakistan TV. Internet is working. Imran Khan is under house arrest. Heard his interview on BBC. He said if you house arrest the opposition and dismiss the judiciary, its indirectly inviting people to take guns. Thats not gonna happen as people by and large are indifferent. Situation is hopeless. Musharraf could have done soooo much. And now all seems lost.
'Remember Bush's nightmare scenario, the one that guaranteed a surefire "preventive" attack from his administration: an autocratic and oppressive ruler with weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear ones, presiding over a country that functionally offers a safe haven for terrorists? Well, that's now Pakistan, whose security forces are busily jailing hundreds of lawyers, while the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and extremist Islamists, well armed and backed by their own radio stations broadcasting calls for jihad, are moving out of safe havens in the tribal areas along the Afghan border and into Pakistan proper to fight. And there's essentially nothing the administration can do, except mouth platitudes and look the other way. As Paul Woodward of the War in Context website has pointed out: When it comes to nuclear Iran and nuclear Pakistan, we have been living in "a Through-the-Looking-Glass world where nuclear weapons that do exist are less dangerous than those that can be imagined."..' Who Lost Pakistan?
'"One consequence of this crisis is that Bush's 'freedom agenda' is finally bankrupt," said Fred Kaplan in his Slate.com column. "He will never again be able to invoke it, even as a rhetorical ploy, without evoking winces or laughter."'www.ipsnews.net
And yet he is still invoking it, and the thirty-percenters, at least, haven't even cracked a smile.
If Bush is sacrficing his 'freedom agenda' to the fight against terror, then he's not getting a very good deal here, is he? Musharraf's contribution to the GWOT is questionable, to say the least.
'The rout of his allies in Pakistan's parliamentary election could herald the end for President Pervez Musharraf, one of Washington's most important Muslim allies in its fight against al Qaeda, analysts say.
The United States on Tuesday welcomed the vote as "a step toward the full restoration of democracy" but urged the next government in the nuclear-armed Asian country to work with Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 military coup...'
Any 2 above can join and form the Govt. PPP and PML -N can join and kick Musharraf off as well. I think you need 3/4 majority to do that.
There are some 60 independants and small parties that won. Biggest being MQM 20.
You need some 130 seats to form the Govt.
As predicted by some polls... the relegious right got 5 seats only. Last time they got some 60 seats. One of the main relegious parties did not participate (for what ever reasons) but still that is a slap to them.
The results of the polls in the provice give majority to PPP in one province only. The other 3 including Punjab (the biggest) also do not give anyone majority.
Now there are going to be negotiations... who gets to be the Prime Minister. It will be someone new... serving obediently to Mr Benazir or Nawaz. Who will take what ministership... who will take what province as chief minister.
