Pakistan’s Pinstripe Revolution

No to dictator and No to unconstitutional rule. Musharraf is an illegitimate ruler of Pakistan. He is corrupted by power. He suspended the supremem court of Pakistan alleging that they released terrorist detainees. The truth is that the two judges who ordered release of supposedly terrorist detainees are kept on board in Musharraf's new supremem court and others, guilty of nothing were fired. He is financially corrupt too. Only last year, he bought a farm house in the outskirts of Islamabad for Pak Ruppees 6,5 core (US dollars 1.1 millions). How can he afford such an expensive farm house whereas his take home sallary is lesser than US$ 2000 per month. This man is a crook. He knows how to exploite the West and USA. There is no such terrorism in Pakistan other than the one sponsored and architected by Musharraf's intelligence loyalist chiefs. He is ruling the country by creating a fake threat of religious minority's possible takeover, which he claims to prevent by his rule. We want our Supreme court and constitution restored. USA and Europe must support the people of Pakistan and help us get rid of the dictator. GO away Musharraf.

Pakistan under Musharaf would have prospered in past but see what is happening now it is otherwise.So people not country is important.As Musharaf say Pakistan first ,he should see himself what is the root cause of all the problem.I think he would still have good influence if he keep his military uniform only and than leave everything for politicians to do .I understand ffom past expereince it has not been good but now with open media and judiciary ????? the issues of corruption would come open early and politican would not have liberty to play havoc with economy so I advice Musharaf to go from presidency to his military hideout in GHQ.

Eight years ago, when Musharraf took over the country in a coup, his move was welcomed by most of the population because they were tired of Benazir and Sharif - both very corrupt politicians - playing musical chairs with the post of Prime Minister. Musharraf promised fair and free elections - something he never delivered. Eight years later, things seemed (seemed being the operative word here) a little more stable until, at the whim of a despotic dictator who was looking for absolute power and could not handle an independent judiciary, we were subjected to martial law.

And look where we stand today. The situation in Pakistani is headed for disaster. There are no civil liberties, mass arrests and detention of innocent civilians, no free press and only the "rule of law" as dictated by a madman.

So eight years later, we are back to square one. Whereas had we let fair and free elections ride out their course, things would have sputtered, we would have stumbled, but we would be on more stable ground right now.

For supporters of Musharraf who keep insisting that he "is not as bad" as Benazir and Nawaz, I disagree whole heartedly. He is far, far, worse than corrupt politicians because under the guise of democracy, he is a real threat and danger to future of the country.

It is ironic that he is calling Asma Jahangir 'unstable' when in fact, it is he who is clearly, slowly but surely, going mad.

As a Pakistani American, it is natural for me to look for the best solution for both countries. Musharraf has made a number of mistakes but he is far better the corrupt BB and Nawaz N(ot) Sharif. He is one of the least corrupt leaders in Pakistan. So Bye, Bye BB and No No Nawaz. HRH

Anyone living in Pakistan can vouch for the fact that in most urban areas it is business as usual and there is
no evidence of martial law anywhere. The reason given by the General for declaring emergency is understandable and the military action now in progress in Swat region is proof of this . I hope that they are successful in rooting out the militants and extremists who have taken over what used to be a wonderful tourist spot and holiday resort . I hope and pray for his success because unfortunately Pakistan at present does not have any reasonable alternative .
NIna - Islamabad

first of all he didn't impose emergancy but a martial law. secondly it is wrong to assume that this time musharruf listen to none. he did listen his masters. after receiving signals from united states he imposed martial law. he did all that no any other military or civilian leader has never done. after taking over the power he led pakistan not towards modernity or progress but to slavery of the western world particularly USA that pakistan was kept out of that even in the reigns of corrupt civilian rulers right after the cold war till 2001. it is true that afterthe cold war pakistan didn't listen USA but after 9/11 he started the era of slavery to the United states. it is also a fact that after aiding so much to united states in soveit afghan war pakistan , in return, did get nothing from USA but after the explosion of nuclear bomb usa isolated pakistan and sanctioned it. musharruf should also be aware of the fact of the future that after aiding so long to united states in so called war on terror pakistan will gain nothing again. he should get lesson from history. stil ball is in our court. he can take U -turn of his policies on war on terror and withdraw from it. United states is bogged down inthe swamp of iraq and afghanistan.withdrawl from this so called war on terror will destroy the united states and he will get rid of this unwanted master if musharruf is really sincere with pakistan and if musharruf realy place pakistan at first. if he doesn't do this pakistani society is going to drag him into the swamp of terrorism for the abolition of what, willingly or unwillingly, he strove alot in form of driving his own country into the fire, by firing his own nation.

Pakistan will be an Islamic Republic within a few years and no amount of posturing on the part of Bhutto, Sharif, Musharraf and Bush will prevent it in the slightest. The United States in the past has always failed to recognize the inevitable and has always propped up and supported the losing side, thus resulting in the winners being somewhat antagonistic towards us; perhaps because we supported the losers. We have a chance in Pakistan to back off our support of Musharraf and others demanding a democratic state and just sit back and let things take their course. Perhaps Pakistan gives us an opportunity to do something different from our almost universal failure to be on the right side in the past, and if not having a friend in the inevitable Islamic governement, at least not having a dedicated enemy. That would be novel and Pakistan being as large, powerful and important as it is might help us in our relationships with other current and soon to be Islamic states.

looking at the countainance of general musharraf during his press conference his stress was obvious and looked maniacal.his best option still is to call off the emergency,restore the judges,recall mr. sharif and establish an independant election commission for free and fair elections. afterall nobody reigns for ever.

Excellent work.
Stability first democracy later, I hope Musharraf keeps up the good work

"Lawyers" who have taken an oath to uphold the law, as a condition of being admitte to practice law, are comitting acts of heinous violence, severely injuring police officers while they discharge their lawful duty. I have seen the head injuries the Pakistani Police have suffered at the hands of these rock throwing "Lawyers" These criminals are now portrayed by the western media as heros? Where in the west is a rock throwing lawyer tolerated? What would an American police officer do if attacked in this manner? I have seen complete police departments turn out with dozen of patrol vehicles out to hunt down the person who injured the police officer. Here we have Newsweek cheering on criminal actions? Why?

Stability first democracy later. The really poor are trying to eat atleast once a day in Pakistan and when General Musharraf takes steps it is first and foremost for the most deprived in Pakistan. Those harking about lofty ideas like democracy and justice need to do some social volunteering just one day a year. Adopt a street child instead of lamenting about the fradulent chaudry.

This article seems full of bias for Musharraf. He is the man resposible, along with his puppets, of plunging Pakistan into its present crisis. It is so obvious that the West is not concerned enough about the fundamental rights of 140 million people. The extremism visible in Pakistan today is the natural product of Musharraf policies. I am afraid Musharraf has no escape route now after his recent display of total panic. The peole of Pakistan never approve extremism on sither side. The onslaught on the judiciary in this dictatorial fashion will never be tolerated nor will it ever be forgiven. Less than total rejection of this action by the deveoped world is self evident of their double standards. Musharraf's good work cannot justify his brutality. I urge the world to come together in condemning and rejecting Musharraf's recent action in an outright fashion. Listen to the voice of your conscience and join hands to free the people of this world from tyrants like Musharraf.

From where did you come up with this "Pakistan had fallen on bad times in the 1990s, but it has serious traditions of law, human rights and democracy. "

Pakistan has been under military rule for about 30 years of its history. A third of it is basically ungovernable or the government does not exist. Sharia is still followed to a large extent. Its record on human rights is among
the worst if not the worst.
To a large extent the premise of the article that the army in Pakistan is the most stable institution is true but the other points you make seem like only an extension of the talking points Musharraf uses to support himself or the US uses to continue support to him.

it seems like autor is presenting the Bush administarations point of view. Pakistan is more than just Musharaf any by betting on Musharaf against Pakistan is a losing bet. One thing which author got right is the fact this all emergency rule is to curtail the powers of Supreme Court. Unfortunately no western country has mentioned restoration of the Judges with thier demand of ending the emergency rule. US has much better chances of succeeding against terrorist with help of a democratic government in pakistan than a dictator like Musharaf or Ashfaq Kiyani.

Indications of Destabilization
A number of significant incidents have occured in the country which are clear indications of impending destabilization. Such an environment is a breeding ground of terrorists and weakening of democratic and moderate forces. Pakistan's centre of gravity revolves around military and religious base and both have plunged into war with each other. The constitution of Pakistan is held in abeyance and the country is ruled without any law. There are four important pillars of state i.e. judiciary, executive, legislature, media and army in case of Pakistan. Complete judiciary has been house arrested and overwhelmed by the few defectors of executive. Legislature cannot funcion without any constitution and otherwise of rubber stamp in character. Media, the voice of people, is blocked and army is already facing the menace of terrorism and turmoil. Surprisingly, these steps have been taken to wield terrorism but the judges who promoted the terrorists in their recent rulings are now in government's frontline force after taking oath under PCO. The mainstream political leaders have been ousted to provide a smooth run to the president and his party ( consists of defectors of parties whose leadership is in forced exile) However, President is of the opinion that these steps have been taken to restore democracy in the country. How? Can a wise man believe that sun is rising from west? It is the need that the president should fulfill its promise and restore the real democracy in the country in order to defeat the extremist forces which are flourishing in the above mentioned circumstances.

I think the article fails to mention that General Musharraf was behind the Kargil conflict and worked behind the backs of the Prime Minister which almost resulted in a war. The real reason why he has brought this mess upon Pakistan is that he has been bahaving too much like a politician ... he has been wheeling and dealing with the extremists and the US and as a result has made no one happy.

FORCING CORRUPT AND LIBERALS ON PAKISTAN

???Don???t put too much load on the Supreme Court that it collapses???, suggested Muneer Malik former president of Supreme Court Bar Association. That is what exactly happened. Corrupt, disgraceful and compromised politicians of Pakistan have let down the people of Pakistan time and time again. Political parties are being run like family businesses, leaders are elected for life.

???British People expect high standards both moraly and integrity from their politicians. Many Pakistanis are asking than why Britain is supporting Benzair Bhutto who created and supprted Taliban and also involved in corrptuion mounting wealth of $2 bilion? I asked the above question to Prime Minsiter Gordon Brown on 25th October 2007 at No.10 Downing Street. Western governments and US should stop backing; protecting and supporting corrupt Pakistani politicians. You cannot have drama of democracy, peace and love for the US and western countries in the region. If Benazir is forced upon Pakistanis she will not be worth more than Mayor of Islamabad like people call Hamid Karzi mayor of Kabul and Nurialmalikee prince of Baghdad Green Zone. People of Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan have learnt the trick against occupation and colonisation, ???kill the collaborators first???.

This elitism in everything is alienating the people of Pakistan. Pakistani public used to seeing its corrupt elite sending their kids to exclusive English medium schools, eating and drinking imported food, wearing foreign made clothes, driving foreign made cars, and now asking foreign investigators to probe an incident just because supposed victim was Benzair and her bunch of cronies.

If West and US is really serious in fighting extremism in Pakistan they should help Pakistan in reforming judicial system. Injustices create extremism and terrorism. The reason people in Swat and North of Pakistan are asking for imposing ???Sharia Law??? is because it is swift and cheap. That is why people resolve their problems by ???Jirgas??? because it is cheap and swift. They cannot afford a lawyer and years of litigation. Less than 100 judges have around 100,0000 cases to decide in high courts and Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Regards

Dr Shahid Qureshi


(Dr Shahid Qureshi is senior award wining investigative journalist and writer on security, foreign policy, and terrorism based in London)

When faced with a people who have an inherent dual allegiance, religious law or universally accepted laws governing humanity,there must be a protection agaist the state falling into a religious state through popularity. The Turkish revolution is an example of how a constitution has been tested by religious zealots and the Palestinian elections show exactly what can happen if the rule of a constitution is usurped by religious popularity. No state can assume its constitution is secure when a "religion" complete with its own laws is portrayed as just a religion simply to gain protections as if it were no danger to it.

President Musharraf has rescued the country from the threshold of bankruptcy in 1999. Since then, he has worked hard to teach the politicians what is real politics and what was the conviction of the founder of Pakistan, which is usually misinterpreted by different segments of the country for their political gain. The judiciary if humiliated is just because of their exeggerated supremacy which they acquired after restoration of the former Chief Justice, Iftikhar Choudhary. The judiciary's interruption in administration and suomoto actions in every minute cases led them to this punishment and they must have realised this fact now. The same is with the free media.

alimember gojali, Karachi Pakistan