PAKISTAN

Shutdown

Pervez Musharraf holds onto power by declaring a state of emergency. But how will the opposition and the world react?

Newsweek Web Exclusive
Nov 3, 2007 | Updated: 7:35  p.m. ET Nov 3, 2007

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  • Posted By: Shankardada2 @ 11/05/2007 6:45:25 PM

    I don't see what all the hubbub is about. A "state of emergency" is a state of normalcy for Pakistan. That country has been a military didtatorship for 60 years, punctuated by brief bouts of sham democracy. The country is now reaping the fruits of the militancy it has sown. Its madrassahs have pumped out religious lunatics bent on jihad for decades. Originally they were directed towards the Russians in Afghanistan and towards Indians in Kashmir. These lunatics have now set their sights on their own government. Musharraf let's them flourish to the point of anarchy, then declares a "state of emergency" to extend his autocracy (either he is incredibly incompetent, or diabolically brilliant). But he is not the first to use Pakistan's militancy to his advantage. Previous dictators have used the bogeyman of India to make the Pakistani army all powerful and tighten their grasp on Pakistanis. Meanwhile, the poor Pakistanis have been stuck in reverse while their neighbors to the east, India and China prosper. When will Pakistanis realize that the future is in factories, not jihad; in democracy, not autocracy?

    • Posted By: atiq @ 11/06/2007 9:10:57 AM

      I would suggest Indians to take care of your majority of population living under the line of poverty. Also you ugly face of killing the innocent minorities. Whenever Pakistan is in trouble (normally due to India), Indian forces start planning to attack. But their dream remains unfullfilled.
      Pakistan is in difficult situation and I hope we will get out of it. Some times nations have to see such difficult days before the brighter tomorrow.

      • Posted By: Shankardada2 @ 11/06/2007 1:57:28 PM

        Obviously India has a lot of problems. Indians face poverty, sectarianism (within the Hindu community and between Hindus and Christians and Hindus and Muslims), corruption in government, and pollution. Similar problems are face by most of the third world. But the country seems to be headed in the right direction, fitfully. India has a LOOOOOOONG way to go to reach the status of our United States. Pakistan has a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG way to go approach the status of the U.S. It seems "atiq" has bought into the notion that Pakistani dictators have fed to the people - that India is the perpetual threat. Surely you cannot Indians for Musharraf's plan to take attack Kargil, which failed, then overthrow his own government for the purpose of stamping out extremism and corruption, which failed, and now reimposing a state of emergency? C'mon!

        • Posted By: nukejet75 @ 11/07/2007 2:58:18 AM

          we dont need to follow the USA for anything.What do you mean by status of USA?USA might have good things we can follow,but that cannot be a goal to achive.Every counties has diffrent environment.India should be looking forward to green energy and protectin the environment without the blind industrialization.I think we should look in to the past ,like the vedic culture to learn and respect nature and be pround of the mathematics we have given to the world.We might have corruption and sectarian violance,which is natural ,becuase we have thosands of communities speaking many languages and following another thousand religions.lookin at that the track record is far better than many countries.Even the US had problems,with just two communities blacks and the whites.Imaging its not religion ,but color of the skins and you have a fight.so i would not be supriesed if there are problems in india.so we are on the right path for a strong,peacefull india not another USA.

          • Posted By: Shankardada2 @ 11/07/2007 1:36:04 PM

            When I say "status of the USA" I mean in a manner similar to the progress of Germany after World War II - A democracy that is relatively tolerant of minorities and religions, celebrates diversity, and where the poverty level is defined as being unable to afford a second car. Of course India should retain its individuality.

      • Posted By: nukejet75 @ 11/07/2007 2:48:05 AM

        We have no dreams of beating pakistan which is already in anarchy and jihad.Nothing to beat there anyways.We are a big country with miniroties greater that the whole population of pakistan.We might have some problems with extremism,but nothing compared you and your arab friends.The only dream of india is Nanotechnology,IT and Space which you might have notices is in full swing.which is Nothing close to pakistan.
        What are the achivements of pakistan.
        1) Labeled as the hub of terrorist ,traning and support (open your eyes and stop being in denial).
        2) Best place for Political instability and dictator ship
        3) Relgious extremism.your own people are killing each other by sucide bombing

        About wars with india,look at your track record.we havent even your our might and you have lost all the wars you people started.Check the unbiased history books not your propaganda machinery put up by you dictators.
        Your gr8 friend USA has been bombing you NWFP and using your own soil to kill your own people.If you remember ,they even thretened you with bombs "Bomb you to the stone ages " comment.So first stop the americans taking over your country and stop worring about india.We are a successfull democracy for the past 60 years and dont teach us how to treat our minorities.you dont have worry about minorites cause you already converted them,driven them out or killed them.Everyone knows ISI is responsible for creating all the trouble ,helping extremists in india ,they have been doing this for a long time since the 80s.the americans and the europians ignored this and they have been taught a lesson by our helpful pakstani trained sucide bombers.Now the amerians are breating down your neck and interfering in your country.So stop being in denial,accept the realities and try to correct you peoples before blaming india for all the trouble including the broken flush.

  • Posted By: Shahbaz @ 11/07/2007 5:03:07 AM

    Please my friends Canadilio try to research before accusing some one! you said that "Suprem Court was realising allegedly dangerous criminals simply to embarass the government". Do you know the 2 judges who took the suo moto notice of Lal Masjid case and who ordered the realese of all the mullahs arrested there are part of the new suprem court of General Musharaf. So if he sacked the judges who were supporting the terrorists why did he decide to allow the one who took that particular suo moto and ordered for the relaese of the criminals to embarass him to be part of the new improved suprem court? and if all of those people were criminals then why the hell the governments lawyers failed to prove them to be criminals?

    please wake up!!!!!!! and think before accusing someone its your responsability and if you cant do so then dont wite on such serious forums

  • Posted By: Canadilio @ 11/06/2007 4:20:57 PM

    Comment: Emergency rule / martial law is a totally justified and necessary step to stabilizing Pakistan.

    The supreme court has been undermining national security by releasing allegedly dangerous criminals simply to embarass the government. The media protray the protesting lawyers as hero's but in reality they are quite uneducated and used by Chaudry as a political lever.

    Couple that with a war against extremists the situation could not be more dire - the world needs this govt to suceed.

    • Posted By: atiq @ 11/07/2007 4:13:38 AM

      If you have read the newspapers on next day of emergency, Musharaf released 29 Taliban including the sucide bombers in exchange of 200 pakistani soldiers. Also Pakistan army has renewed its 2005 agreement with Taliban in South Waziristan. If court released 61 students of Lal Masjid, what would you say about these 29 authenticated terrorists ?

  • Posted By: shahidisheikh @ 11/06/2007 10:21:32 AM

    For many of us who were born and raised in moderate secular Pakistan and are now living abroad, it is sad to watch the chain of events in recent years leading to current emergency/martial law being imposed in Pakistan. I hope that this may end up to be a catalyst towards a true democratic society and not the sham democracy Musharraf was trying to impose for last many years. This martial law has showed the real face of Musharraf and it is very clear that it was imposed because Supreme Court decided to follow the rule of law instead of bowing to a dictator. We all should salute those judges who stood up against a dictator in order to enforce rule of law. I am very proud that many if not most of national and provincial Supreme Court judges have refused to take new oath from the dictator.
    I think, General Musharraf has made things very difficult for himself by issuing the extra-constitutional proclamation of emergency on November 3rd as it can lead to only one of three possibilities which are as follows
    - If his emergency rule/martial law is successful (no public outcry, legitimized from the new Supreme Court), the chances are that another General Ayub Khan may replace him as had happened with President General Iskander Mirza in October 1958.
    - If the masses refuse to accept his emergency/martial law and flood the streets of the country as they had done against General Ayub Khan in late 1960's, the chances are that either another General may take over power from him or there will be mutiny within lower ranks of army.
    - If he is able to survive both these eventualities, there is a strong possibility that he will be removed through unconstitutional means as General Zia was removed in early 1990's after he blocked all constitutional ways to dethrone him. In any case, second in command in Pakistan army General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani will play an important role in the constitutional politics of Pakistan in the coming months.
    I wish US policy makers have vision to know that majority of people of Pakistan (like any other Muslim/third world country) are moderate and secular and if US communicate with the people by supporting democracy, instead of insulting them by supporting dictators, they will have a better chance in developing long term stable relationships both at the level of governments and people as such relationships will be based on mutual respect.
    Shahid Sheikh

    • Posted By: Shankardada2 @ 11/06/2007 1:47:02 PM

      I agree. It is absolutely essential that we Americans side with Pakistani democrats, and not autocrats. Otherwise, Pakistani secular democrats will become just as marginalized as Pakistani Islamists. They may even be forced to ally. The last thing we want to see is more allies for Islamists. Eventually democracy will triumph in Pakistan, even if it takes another 20-30 years. We need to be on the right side.

  • Posted By: atiq @ 11/06/2007 8:55:43 AM

    Well, the Pakistani nation is waking up ! Nations have to pass through tough times to get stable state. Unfortunately, our neighbours are our worst enemies. If only India stops interfering into Pakistani matters and concentrate on its three fourth population dying with hunger, and its minorities being killed by terrorist hindus, Pakistan would be stable in few years. Offcourse all what is happening in India would not be possible if it remained under British rule.
    Although every Pakistani condemns the current situation in Pakistan, But I believe most of the nations of the world have gone through tough times before they became stable.

  • Posted By: aman04 @ 11/06/2007 8:26:53 AM

    The martial law was imposed to curb extremism and militancy, but surprisingly no action has been launched against extremists even after 72 hours of emergency. The crackdown has been taken against judiciary, lawers,media and civil society organizations. The question is why human rights activists have been arressted and charged for non bailable offence.
    Why action has not been taken so far against the adminstration of Red Mosque, which was reinstated by the decision of the Supreme court comprising Justice Faqir Muhammad khokhar and Justice Nawaz Abbasi.
    Why these two judges have taken oath, who supported extremists and militants?
    Why not an action against extremist elements within the govt. like Ch. Pervaiz Ellahi and Arbab Rahim has not been initiated. How can we expect this Govt. to crack down against extremists by having such people in their ranks?
    The simple reason for this martial law is that Musharaf secured himself from any possible unfavourable verdict and also saved prime minister and Arbab Rahim from the charge of contempt of court.
    The situation is hopeless and highly regretted.
    Abid Shakeel

  • Posted By: Sabiha @ 11/04/2007 11:09:44 AM

    Musharraf or any other leader, even populer leaders put together, cannot win war on terror which is like war against America. The sentiments, emotions, actions and reactions of Pakistani people shud not be assessed in isolation from what American Govt(not the people of America) is doing in the mid-east, afghanistan. Pakistani Army may have stories of gallantry to tell its people, but no soldier of Pakistani army will fight against its own people with the same zeal and daring as it wud fight agnst its historical enemy(which is again an incorrect history on which we Pakistanis have been fed for the last 60 years). The US must eliminate the perception of Muslim world that the US is the perpetrator of dictatorships in the form of Kings, Generals and stooge presidents. Americans are great people who have remained isolated from the rest of the world for centuries. Only their governments are in the knowledge of happenings in forign countries. An average American is least interested in forign poltics. He worries abt his domestic problems. Abt forign matters, the simpleJOE leaves everything on the govt of the day and the media. And it is from here, the empathy of the American people, whci has pushed the entire globe in the hell and fire of unending terrorist mania. If American people had a really independent say in the govt `s forign policy(which is now dictated by the economics of 21st century), Both the BUSHES wud have not started the war in IRAQ for baseless reasons. A secular and ruthless Saddam was good for our world. He was America`s servant. Bin-Laden was a lakey of the CIA. Stupid handling of him by Bush senior` and then Clinton made Laden, a monster. And now Bush junior has let loose the vermin of terrorism on us by his dumb policies.
    WAKE UP AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!!!!. Your Govts do not always work for your interest. They are and in future, will be working for multinationals. Fortunately or unfortunately, most of the larger Multi-nationals are owned by Jews, and therfore, poor good jews as a people become enemies of ISLAM by default. And hence invention of so many consipracy theories circulating in the Islamis world.

    • Posted By: Shankardada2 @ 11/05/2007 6:55:37 PM

      Ah, my friend, you are falling into the trap of blaming AMERICA for everything... Do Pakistanis take no responsibility for 60 years of poor government? Maybe that country would've been better off in the hands of the British, eh? Clearly they could not have been worse off today under British rule than they are now. Hell, Pakistanis would've been better off today if they stayed a part of India... At least they would've avoided three wars, and would've had progressive democracy, rather than regression to autocracy/theocracy. The fact is, PAKISTANI's, not Americans, not Indians, are responsible for their own predicament. They are reaping what they have sown.

  • Posted By: shazomar @ 11/05/2007 2:55:51 PM

    Sorry for the typos... I hope more pro Musharaff people who are not politicians make their voice heard. Musharaf has integrity and hope he makes the rigth moves. Just get rid of those damn Mullahs.

  • Posted By: shazomar @ 11/05/2007 2:52:41 PM

    Pakistan as a nation is very complex and cannot be judged r assessed on typical westernstandards f democracey. i fully support Musharaff and his intentions. Dont forget media in Pakistan was NEVER as liberal in the so called democratic govts. in the past as it has been in last eight yrs of Musharraff. Pakistan economy with was in severely in debt has shot up in last 56 yrs. So let Musharaff do what he is doing. Our legal system was totally corrupt and trying make a gov. within the gov. so it had to be stopped. And as part of emergency yes the media should not enjoy same liberties as a week ago . The country is in crisis at hands of fundamentalist and corrupt politicians at the ame time. Military has to step in. I just hope they get rid of some mullahs at the same time!

  • Posted By: shazaf28 @ 11/05/2007 2:35:37 PM

    Your Own State during this "State of Emergency"

    To all Pakistani's:


    Oh the hue and cry over the State of Emergency!

    Given the choice, who would YOU like to step forward at this time?



    Nawaz Shariff: The man known for corruption, embezzlement and tax evasion. Were your issues of poverty, education and employment taken care of during his time?



    Benazir Bhutto: The woman who the French, Polish, Spanish and Swiss governments provided documentary evidence for corruption to the Pakistani government. Working hard, yes, to launder money through Swiss bank accounts.

    Were your issues of security taken care of during her time?



    Iftikhar Chaudhry: A man of legal background serving injustice to the people, by encouraging street fights and violence, to promote his egomaniacal agenda.

    Were your issues of peace and justice taken care of during this time?



    Maulana Fazlullah: The hard line cleric continuing the mission of Taliban's to stifle and subjugate people with measures of cruelty and inhumanity. Will your issues of freedom and democracy be addressed by this man?



    Who do you nominate to promote your cause?



    Shame on Mushraff? Shame on you! For being fickle, for joining in and fighting other people's war, disregarding our country's name for the sake of corrupted politicians. For being brainwashed and surging through the crowds and trampling on bodies, because of self serving Politician's who have always DICTATED you to take action and you do so mindlessly! The streets are not filled with leaders; it is filled with followers who are willing to kill but not willing to question.



    And now you cry when the strings are being cut, and you can no longer be puppets, because it ends your period of slavery leading to destruction and chaos. Its time to point the finger back at yourself and review your own acts. It's time for a new show!

    S.Moonis
    Karachi/New York City

  • Posted By: Shazaf Moonis @ 11/05/2007 2:33:19 PM

    Your Own State during this "State of Emergency"

    To all Pakistani's:


    Oh the hue and cry over the State of Emergency!

    Given the choice, who would YOU like to step forward at this time?



    Nawaz Shariff: The man known for corruption, embezzlement and tax evasion. Were your issues of poverty, education and employment taken care of during his time?



    Benazir Bhutto: The woman who the French, Polish, Spanish and Swiss governments provided documentary evidence for corruption to the Pakistani government. Working hard, yes, to launder money through Swiss bank accounts.

    Were your issues of security taken care of during her time?



    Iftikhar Chaudhry: A man of legal background serving injustice to the people, by encouraging street fights and violence, to promote his egomaniacal agenda.

    Were your issues of peace and justice taken care of during this time?



    Maulana Fazlullah: The hard line cleric continuing the mission of Taliban's to stifle and subjugate people with measures of cruelty and inhumanity. Will your issues of freedom and democracy be addressed by this man?



    Who do you nominate to promote your cause?



    Shame on Mushraff? Shame on you! For being fickle, for joining in and fighting other people's war, disregarding our country's name for the sake of corrupted politicians. For being brainwashed and surging through the crowds and trampling on bodies, because of self serving Politician's who have always DICTATED you to take action and you do so mindlessly! The streets are not filled with leaders; it is filled with followers who are willing to kill but not willing to question.



    And now you cry when the strings are being cut, and you can no longer be puppets, because it ends your period of slavery leading to destruction and chaos. Its time to point the finger back at yourself and review your own acts. It's time for a new show!

    S.Moonis
    Karachi/New York City

  • Posted By: Shazaf @ 11/05/2007 2:31:55 PM

    Your Own State during this "State of Emergency"

    To all Pakistani's:


    Oh the hue and cry over the State of Emergency!

    Given the choice, who would YOU like to step forward at this time?



    Nawaz Shariff: The man known for corruption, embezzlement and tax evasion. Were your issues of poverty, education and employment taken care of during his time?



    Benazir Bhutto: The woman who the French, Polish, Spanish and Swiss governments provided documentary evidence for corruption to the Pakistani government. Working hard, yes, to launder money through Swiss bank accounts.

    Were your issues of security taken care of during her time?



    Iftikhar Chaudhry: A man of legal background serving injustice to the people, by encouraging street fights and violence, to promote his egomaniacal agenda.

    Were your issues of peace and justice taken care of during this time?



    Maulana Fazlullah: The hard line cleric continuing the mission of Taliban's to stifle and subjugate people with measures of cruelty and inhumanity. Will your issues of freedom and democracy be addressed by this man?



    Who do you nominate to promote your cause?



    Shame on Mushraff? Shame on you! For being fickle, for joining in and fighting other people's war, disregarding our country's name for the sake of corrupted politicians. For being brainwashed and surging through the crowds and trampling on bodies, because of self serving Politician's who have always DICTATED you to take action and you do so mindlessly! The streets are not filled with leaders; it is filled with followers who are willing to kill but not willing to question.



    And now you cry when the strings are being cut, and you can no longer be puppets, because it ends your period of slavery leading to destruction and chaos. Its time to point the finger back at yourself and review your own acts. It's time for a new show!

    S.Moonis
    Karachi/New York City

  • Posted By: amoostafa @ 11/05/2007 1:20:04 PM

    I think U.S is again betting on the wrong horse.If any sensible person is left in U.S govt, they should advise their govt to go for democracy.People can not be befooled by lip service of Rice to condemn democracy.They are strengthening terrorists by siding with Musharraf.The things will go underground and more problematic not only for Pakistan but for West also.Please try to understand.Also corpse commanders should not be loyal to Musharraf but to their nation.How they eant to be remembered ??? A pet or rational human being.

  • Posted By: captsalman @ 11/05/2007 12:35:05 PM

    It is now a big question mark on the judgement of President Bush. Is he not going to make a new Saddam Hussain? who is cracking down moderates, and civil instituitions rather than terrorists inside his regime. Dismantling decent civil instituitions means paving way to extremism in Pakistan which ultimately would threaten security of the region as well as of USA and West. Please do not ignore plea of the people of Pakistan. They like to live in peace and harmony with the rest of the civilized world.

  • Posted By: mqureshi79 @ 11/05/2007 10:41:01 AM

    Nobody in the international world understands anything thats going on in Pakistan... they hail Bhutto and Sharif as bastions of "democracy", yet they conveniently forget how these people LOOTED Pakistan for the sake of their own bank accounts!

    I support General Musharraf! Do what you have to... kick some butt, and improve the country!

  • Posted By: yonexlee @ 11/05/2007 8:18:29 AM

    I think it's a wise move to sustain and safeguard the country's security altough some parties claimed that the president is trying to retain his presidency. I welcome the move and hope the country will restore her peace asap.

  • Posted By: yonexlee @ 11/05/2007 8:16:35 AM

    This is to ensure the country's stability to be upgeld and I welcome the move although some parties claimed that the President is trying to retain his presidenship.

  • Posted By: shaista @ 11/05/2007 12:42:51 AM

    This is the morral responsibility of the civilized nations to condemn strongly and also to analyze that why such steps are takin.
    Espacially the USA to block its' assistance due to following reasons.

    1) The Musharaf regim play a new game with USA and show that we are fighting against terrorism but actually he assist and help terrorism, by capturing there forces and the terrorist gained the arms and amunitations from these captured militry forces and released subsequently with out harming
    this is becasue to provide the latest arms and amunitions to the terrorist to fight in Afghanistan and to compled USA to face a defeat over there
    Second any USA Defence analytics think that how a terrorist group fight for long time using heavy guns and arms.
    From where these arms and foods provided to these terrorist

    Any American think on this

    If the US goverment not supporting there professional Forces would they survive

    This is actually a game which Musharaf play with US for showing that we fight against terrorirsm but in real he provide the assistance to these terrorist groups to fight for to save his regim

    How can a group of terrorist fight for long time with out govt support

    This is the new dimentions as previously practize in Kashmir against India

    Now those were moved to Triabal Areas to fight against Coalliation forces in Afghanistan with assistance of Pakistani forces

    This is just a drama for to get support of USA and in real make the terrorist strong

    If the US want to make Afghanistan as they want need to block the assistance and to remove the regim

    The existing regim never eliminate terrorism for the sake of there power

    Thanks and Regards

    Shaista khan karachi pakistan

  • Posted By: pamdixon @ 11/04/2007 5:55:57 PM

    Boy is George Bush jealous.

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