Seize the Day

The United States now has an opportunity to make good on its commitment to democracy in Pakistan. It can start by severing its ties with Musharraf.

By Sumit Ganguly | Newsweek Web Exclusive

Feb 19, 2008 | Updated: 5:21 p.m. ET Feb 19, 2008

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Discuss

Posted By: wazdan @ 02/26/2008 12:00:19 PM

Comment: Irealise the eneleces you had are totaly differ from the ground reality in pakistan, Musharaf has killed pakistani to give protection to Americans,which is a treagy for Pakistanies, Is it thinkable that Americans will start war on hih own people for the sake of Pakistan,that is what the west specialy USA want and support Dictators, Now the World has changed, Now the American has to abonden the policies of the Past, will not get what was USA getting from pakistani dectators.
Posted By: saeedahmad63 @ 02/23/2008 10:59:48 AM

Comment: That indeed is a brilliant article. However you seem to be a rather neive individual who is simply ignoring some other realities.USA is least interested in strengthening the democracy in Pakistan. It is only pursuing and pushing it's own agenda of balkanization of Pakistan in a manner that I shall term as "controlled demilition". That remains a part of it's long term plan of altering the map of this region in line with it's long term policy goals. That is the reason, it will openly or covertly continue supporting any and all individuals and forces that remain hostile to democracy in Pakistan. Irony is that enthusiasts in USA seem to ignore some realities by underestimating the resultant effects of it's interventions in this part of the world. Pakistan (especially NWFP) is neither vietnam nor Iraq. A perpetuation of US' interference will eventually burst the bubble leaving no winners from this to that end. We still appreciate the saner voices like yours who seem to support the opinion that US should leave Pakistan on it's own so that it's internal troubles (actually caused by following US' dictates) are taken care of by the elected government... Saeed Ahmad, Lahore, Pakistan.
Posted By: Muhammed Amin @ 02/23/2008 9:14:37 AM

Comment: Pakistan was termed "The world's most dangerous place". It can now be termed as "The world's most resilient nation". Despite years of western supported dictatorship, doses of jihadism, drugs and weapons during fight against Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, whenever Pakistanis given opportunity to chose their destiny, it followed relative peace, tranquilty and ecnomic growth. Again, on February 18, 2008 when Pakistanis got the chance they rose to the occassion. They rejected religious parties, wiped out parties allied with dictator and chose parties whose agenda is democratic, rule of law and moderation. Again Pakistanis are jubialiant, going about the business lookinf forward towards a better future. Truly, its " The World's Most Resilient Nation". I feel proud being a Pakistani.

Muhammed Amin
Posted By: nawawimohamad @ 02/22/2008 4:38:02 AM

Comment: If you leave Pakistan to those two hooligans (Shariff and Zardari), Pakistan will be in turmoil. They have agreed to work together to oust Musharraf, but the day Musharraf is removed from office, violence will reign. I don't trust any of the hooligans. But the Pakistanis deserved them for they are the ones who voted for them. Pakistan will stay backward and poor. To prevent this, Kalyani, he will make the next inevitable coup.
Posted By: drimrantariq @ 02/21/2008 1:41:51 PM

Comment: musharf was forced to have a fair day otherwise he tried his best to rig pre election and will try post election
Posted By: Hassnain @ 02/21/2008 12:26:43 PM

Comment: Despite a clear verdict by the people of Pakistan against the present rulers, Musharraf is clinging to power. He surely is one among the most shameless dictators the world has ever seen.
Hassnain.
Posted By: pinkpanther87413 @ 02/20/2008 1:48:05 PM

Comment: What to do, what to do,mmm lets think like our government... INVADE IRAN!!!
Posted By: mahaque @ 02/20/2008 12:35:46 PM

Comment: Professor Ganguli's dislike of Pres. Musharraf is evident. Sure, Musharraf made some serious mistakes, but unlike the leaders of the parties that won the elections, he is not a thief. What the professor fails to mention is that if it wasn't for Musharraf, the elections would not have been fair and despite his faults, he is responsible for allowing scores of independent radio and TV stations.
- Posted By: drimrantariq @ 02/21/2008 13:37:02
  
  Comment: musharf was forced not to allow rigging on the faithful day otherwise he tried its best
Posted By: smm1212 @ 02/20/2008 11:32:45 AM

Comment: Landslide Victories of moderate People's party and PML-Nawas in all four provinces indicate that majority of muslims in Pakistan don't want to side with Mullahs. It's an eye openers that Jamiat-Ulma-Islam (Right wing muslim party) only got 8 seats out of 272.
Mullahs also got severely beaten in the North West Frontier province (where Bin Laden is "suppose" to be hiding).
Posted By: saj_alex@yahoo.com @ 02/20/2008 9:29:15 AM

Comment: Pakistan has a brief window now to get on track to become a relativley prosperous, stable 2nd world country and fulfill its considerable potential. However, if the two parties and their current leaders end up reverting to their former modus operandi, and the typical south asian mindset is not altered, then past will be prologue yet once again for pakistan and her long-suffering people
Hoe
Posted By: eddiewhere @ 02/20/2008 2:08:25 AM

Comment: WE JUST WANT BIN LADEN.