Dueling Prime Ministers

musharaf obviously has limited intelegence on how to deal with his country's internal turmoil and this action is going to affect his external relations. martial law is usally the last resort for a civilian government but it is exactly the thing the military desires. mass arrests and violece are the first actions censoring the media follows and then executions. overthrough is ultimately the result of such an action. bhutto was correct in getting out of the country for Pakistan is about to explode and any opposition to this situation will be silenced by the army. the United States should watch events very carefully and if it looks like the nuclear weapons she possesses could fall into unfriendly hands a first strike must be considered. s.hoegen

Unfortunately a truly representative government would be a disaster. With the largest segment of the population being educated by Islamic schools if at all there can be no recognition of their ability to select a democratic future. They simply have an allegiance counter to their constitution, Complicating the internal strife is the Saudi request that Pakistan ignore an agreement and reconcile an Islamist crook. Maybe they want him out because he is a problem for them or it is just another BinLaden with funding they are inserting there. In any case, there is a danger of a well funded and armed extremist group taking over parts of Pakistan that Mushareff has all the reason he needs to declare marshal law to protect.

I think the supreme court has been divided not by legitimate legal opinions but by agendas quite hostile to any government which is seen as pro western. Even Turkey has to constantly guard against the constant pressure from Islamists who would reinstate the dangerous and oppressive Sharia laws . Musharef calls it "cross purposes" when the only purpose to participating in government is to one day replace it with Islam and its laws. Thats no two party system at all. Its a stealthy opponent who has nothing to lose and nuclear weapons to gain..

The only way to solve Pakistani problems is to get te people of Pakistan to have a truely representaive govenment after a fair and free election. Such elections are simply not possible if the most popular leader is not allowed to return t his ow country despite Supreme Court's decision. Why anyone should be scared of a single person inNawaz Sharif. He should be fought in free and fair elections. It is a pity that Musharraf,Shoukat Aziz and other Ministers say that they respect and abide by all decisions by Supreme Court but when i comes to Nawaz Sharif, they all say that they will not allow him to return to Pakistan. What kind of respect are the showing for Supreme Court?

I can"t understand the people al the leaders of pakistan either politcal oir religous .they say they are muslims but there is not a single person is doing what he is suppose to do.the cheat the people of pakistan and god.they lototed the countrys wealth and live in england or america and still the say they are concerned for the people of pakistan. i want to say one thing that pakistani publick is stupid enough to go to welcome a leader who looted the country shame on us

Some of the comments regarding corruption of Benazir and Nawaz Sharif are concerned. None of them has been proved in the court of law. As long as, allegations are concerned these have been levelled against the present Govt. as well. Steel Mill case, Stock exchange scandal, sugar scandal, cement scandal and mishandling in privatisation process are also there. Recently a report has been published that 53 billion rupees loans have been waived off for the members of the ruling party. This is undue benefit and is a corruption.
The people of Pakistan should be given a fair chance to decide in the elections about these allegations. Their should be level playing field to restore democracy in its true spirit.
Abid Shakeel

As long as powersharing deal between President Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto is concerned, it seems to be a trap for Benazir. The members of cabinet and key figures of the ruling party started criticism on Benazir and NRO, which was promlugated by them. They succeded in their attempt and the whole media started opposing Ms.Bhutto. Even the hard core critics of Musharraf went after Benazir. A few days ago Musharraf called of meeting of PML(Q) leaders and urged them to start campaign aggressively against Benazir. It is quoted in the media. So what kind of power sharing is this?
Pervaiz Ellahi is coming on the front as the candidate of Prime Minister from PML. It is very clear that Musharraf is backing PML (Q) and their in no understanding between him and Benazir. He has given task to key ministers to aggressively respond to Benazir. He has said that for one punch, you should hit two punches.
As it seem to be, the survival of Pervaiz Ellahi is based on Nawaz Sharif. If Sharif returns to Pakistan before elections, PML (Q) will be wiped off from Punjab, provided it would be a fair election.
Musharraf has said in the meeting with PML(Q) that he would not allow Sharif to return before elections. It seems to be on cards.
My judgement is that, Musharraf would rely on PML (Q) after the next elections. He cannot afford partnership with Benazir. The lobbying against Benazir, that he is coming on American agenda was launched by the Govt. with his support. So I feel after doing rigging in the election, he would argue that this is the result of anti-American sentiments. He has played his cards very well.
Musharraf will not let Benazir or Sharif take active part in the elections. Abid Shakeel

When Saudi's kidnapped Nawaz Shariff it was viewed good sign but now since rumours of allowing Nawaz back has created panic, why? Persons who are phobic to think only on fascisst lines will remain in trouble by jumping on baseless conclusions. This is same Saudi Arabia which harbor a large number of American forces with pay.

for me Sharif is a good politician and he should return and take active part in politics specially after the decision of the Supreme Court. Saudis have realized that they are losing their support back in Pakistan because of Sharif's issue that's why they are to settle this issue as soon as possible

I think Nawaz should not comeback moreover, he should bycotte the election. This is only the way to keep out the Benazir out of Government. Otherwise Muslim league vote will be divided and Benazir will take the advantage of this. She is spending a lot for the marketing for her party but i donot hope she will gain majority with out help of agencies. However, she will put her life on risk as much she will go depen into election. The responsibility of this is liying at her own. The way she adopted is completly wrong. She is not in 1965 when USA was very loving to the people of Pakistan. Slience vote of Pakistan is also against the USA policies. She has lost the votes.

I definitely want Mr Sharif Back in Pakistan because Pakistan needs him. You will not find a single person opposing his return except those dummy politicians who are threatened to loose their establishment given jobs in his presence. There is no right to keep him detained in Jaddah and Saudis must realize its complications.

I strongly favor Nawaz Shrif return to country, there is no reason to keep citizen of Pakistan out of his home land. If there are any charges against him court need to decide not Generals and what ever the out come is whole nation should accept it. At the same time I would strongly back policies and reform that were implemented during his incomplete tenure. Most of those policies are still in full force including, telecommunication, motorway, Trade free zones, export zones, Gawader port, broadening of tax base, IT Policy and many others. He know business and problems of business people and at the end economy is most important thing to manage and create good paying jobs for every one. I have experienced growth as first hand when I was working in stock exchange back in 1994 and number or prospects I was receiving for new IPO's .

At the same time Its important that Bush Administration stay out of Pakistan polities let People of Pakistan decide who they want their leader, that is only way to bring stability and peace and ultimately defeat any extremist forces.( who are very small in numbers). US have lot of work to clean up mess they have created in Iraq, Afghanistan, and at home as well. Our economy is facing serious problems we need to focus on our own house. If US is really serious in bringing peace at to world we need to use his influence justly to years old contention issues and work hard to bring ensure justice in world. Because that is only way to bring peace. You deny justice to American people and their constitutional right to elect their leader, I would like to see how things roll out here.

Having all said i would like to see our parliamentary system change to Presidential system and so people of Pakistan can elect their leader with direct vote and give him all power to do the job. This will also curb . That can only stop way for dictator, at the same time there should be primaries so we can have democracy in each major political party and people can have more choice.

I don't know what best will Nawaz Sharif deliver for the people of Pakistan if he is 'granted' permission to repatriate. On the other hand, it is now absolute certain about Benazir Bhutto. In the name of most commonly taken-for-granted political terminology, Democracy, she is going to 1) optimize the politics of hatred, hypocracy and hopelessness; 2) licentiate unbridled corruption as the way her own re-entry in Pakistan is made a reality is sufficient to realize 3) everthing that can lead to the doldrums... They are no answer to the question of true democracy.!
Khalid Kazim, Hyderabad, Pakistan.

I sure wish Newsweek could get their pronouns right. Using "his" to describe Bhutto, and "her" to describe Sharif in this article shows lack of attention on their part. (And confuses Americans trying to learn more about Middle Eastern politicians!)

Please PROOFREAD Newsweek!

I believe, Mr. Sharif has an unchallengable right to return to Pakistan. Moreover, There should be some strict action against the people who do not have any respect for the Supreme Court decisions. In all these circumstances, we really need to implement the rule of law as repeatedly said by Imran Khan for more than a decade.

Now , all the looters are coming back to take what was left by corrupt politicans. people have to stand up against the (fundamentalists, generals , politicans and technocrats....... anyone else????)
farhan, karachi .pakistan

now, all the looters are coming back to take what is left from the past corruption relay ! farhan , karachi.

Mr Nawaz Sharif should be given a level playing field in the Pakistan???s political process. He has equal right to return to his home country - Pakistan. Any general elections held in Pakistan in his absentia will have no credit what so ever. In addition, his return to Pakistan will mitigate any mistrust that has developed in some Pakistanis against Saudis because of Mr Sharif???s forced re-exile to Saudi Arabia. Dr Sarwar. London, UK.

Mr Nawaz Sharif should be given a level playing field in the Pakistan???s political process. He has equal right to return to his home country - Pakistan. Any general elections held in Pakistan in his absentia will have no credit what so ever. In addition, his return to Pakistan will mitigate any mistrust that has developed in some Pakistanis against Saudis because of Mr Sharif???s forced re-exile. Dr Sarwar. London, UK.