Pakistan

Playing a Weak Hand

To keep Pakistan from falling into the abyss, General Musharraf has few options. Will he choose correctly?

Newsweek Web Exclusive

Nov 7, 2007 | Updated: 5:10 p.m. ET Nov 7, 2007

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Posted By: fahad @ 08/15/2008 1:19:35 PM

Comment: At this point in time ,in Pakistan rate of inflation is around 24%(The highest ever) USD exchange rate is Rupees 76.Out of four provinces,two are undergoing civil war and major political parties have no control of situation.General Musharraf must not surrender like General Yayah did.He must learn from Pakistan's Pecular circumstances and act to save Pakistan.US and Europe and Muslim countries must support him otherwise in my opinion more horrific time is coming for the region.We have to realize that for last eight years he kept things under control
Posted By: saniagul @ 11/16/2007 8:17:01 AM

Comment: If Pakistani people are happy with the present scenario and let me assure you, alot of them are, because there is no mass movement in Pakistan, then i dont see what the problem of the West is. They can let other countries like Egypt be ruled by a dictator and they just want democracy in Pakistan. Democracy is not Pakistan's common man's problem. Those include god income, proper housing, education for their children. And in spite of Benazir Bhutto's corruption (as evidenced in Surrey Palace case and many others), the US wants her to come to rule once again. Why? To plunder Pakistan again and again? The economy of Pakistan has improved a great deal since Gen Musharraf came to power. What has happened is in the best interests of Pakistan.
Posted By: Yaqoob @ 11/13/2007 1:40:37 AM

Comment: american dream about Pakistan is about to be sunk by Civil Society inPakistan
Posted By: kakaji @ 11/09/2007 9:00:31 AM

Comment: Fully Agree with Dogman, Musharraf in his speach said that the law enforcement agencies have low moral due to the reason why they have not been obeyed by people, Mr Musharraf you are killing your own people and when they retaliate against your nasty action then you say their rection is demoralising my forces. Where is democracy Mr Musharraf?
Posted By: BrettJ @ 11/08/2007 9:15:24 PM

Comment: To a greater degree the UK is responsible in giving or witholding a green light for Musharraf taking a greater security stance over Pakistan's domestic extremism. It cant be given because the UK population does have too many Bhutto sympathizers and it would reflect badly on UK politicians. If all the ambassadors of the Commonwealth gave Musharraf a green light to disqualify any security risks in the next election, for Judicial appointments, and for party members of treasonous persuasions; then Pakistan can be supported in a forward direction.
Posted By: Shankardada2 @ 11/08/2007 10:32:04 AM

Comment: It is just a matter of time before nuclear material from rag-tag Pakistan slips into the hands of their friends in Al-Qaeda. When Al-Qaeda detonates a dirty bomb in the West, all this discussion will be moot. Pakistan will be a ash-fille radioactive wasteland.
Posted By: dogman @ 11/08/2007 9:39:47 AM

Comment: This is not Iraq RizaKhan. Pakistan has been a democracy for decades. As you can see it has strong institutions not just the mosque. Saddam had destroy all liberal institutions of a free society, Musharraf had not as you can see it had a free media, business and professional class, and legislative institutions. WE NEED TO WAKE UP, people are manipulating our fear of terrorism to attack democracy. Pakistan is clearly the most obvious. Musharraf is proving to be Saddam, attacking democratic groups and leaving the terrorist alone in Waristan. We must not let Musharraf destory this non religious institutions again leaving only the mosque.
Posted By: RiazKhan @ 11/08/2007 12:21:34 AM

Comment: Instead of blaming Musharraf, first understand the ground realties. Musharraf is the best hope for Pakistan. Pakistan is not yet ready for Democracy ! Malik Riaz Ahmed, Lahore
Posted By: lovejusticepeace @ 11/07/2007 8:17:26 PM

Comment: One man Hitler killed 6 million jews and countless others.
One man Musharaff holding an entire nation to ransom.
Posted By: Masood Haider @ 11/07/2007 6:27:25 PM

Comment: Musharraf has taken a most unfortunate draconian course but had no other choice. If he would have allowed the supreme court to rule against his election as the president, elections would have taken place in total power vacuum leading to even greater anarchy and possibly the disintegration of the country. Pakistan has a total dearth of political leadership. The twice elected, thoroughly corrupt, dishonest and unprincipled ex-prime minister can scantly advance the cause of democracy. Musharraf show utilize this brief lull to fight the insurgency in swat, NWFP and other parts of the country whichis deeply disturbing to the general public, Fortunately for him, the country's public could not care less which party or leadership assumes control of the affairs of the nations. Clearly for Pakistan and for the United States, Musharraf is the least of three evils.

Masood Haider, Pj.D
New Jersey
Posted By: ayazkhan @ 11/07/2007 6:21:33 PM

Comment: A very well written article. Something which covers essentially the different permutations and combinations available to the sinking dictator. However I would like to point out that by legitimising Saddam and not protesting his regime of terror Iraqi people led themselves into a situation where horrors are visiting them. Beaware the people of Pakistan that you dont pay for the selfishness of your despot ruler.

While the writing team deserves the praise may I suggest to Newsweek to have one of the Pakistani origin writers there to present unbiased and more focussed point of view. We do have good writers. Let me suggest the name of few such as Ayaz Amir , Roedad Khan , Nusrat Javed , Shirin Mazari , Nasim Zehra etc

Thank you
- Posted By: saj_alex@yahoo.com @ 11/08/2007 10:54:13 AM
  
  Comment: Agree with ayaz khan. There are many excellent journalists who write for Dawn, The Nation, Daily Times,
  etc. Being of Indian origin, I would like to see their viewpoints put out here as well so as to provide readers with as much balance as possible.