PAKISTAN

Musharraf Promises Elections

But opposition leaders say a fair vote is impossible under emergency decree.

By Ron Moreau | Newsweek Web Exclusive

Nov 11, 2007 | Updated: 12:40 p.m. ET Nov 11, 2007

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Posted By: dr.shaukat.amanullah @ 11/14/2007 2:10:47 PM

Comment: Musharraf is riding a multi-horned dragon which consists of escalating inflation, unemployment, poverty and hyper-escalating population explosion (500 children an hour). Sectarian and linguistic conflicts, fundamentalist bloody upheivels in the North, nasty encounters with the judiciary and clergy, he has to keep the Army's morale up. I wonder how the brass is going to manage the dragon's flight. We plea to America to come to the front-line ally's help. Pakistanis are extremely de-moralised because of the uncertainities of the events. The way Musharraf handled Laal Masjid and Jamiya-e-Hafsa was a unique phenomenon in Pakistan's tragic history. We saw several hundred people evaporating in suicidal bombs etc. How the free world expects Pakistan to perform its herculean job of fighting terrorism? In our view, Musharraf has to digest the bitter accolade of judicial independence, removal of uniform, tolerance of opposition parties and absolute freedom to media. It is the ripest time for Army to start relying on civilian politicians. We must realise that the so-called "nuclear power" status that we are enjoying is no more than a nightmare. Nuclear power against whom? I wonder. Pakistan at this juncture needs a sacular, democratic system of government which although appears like a dream but with the help of our great ally, America, this can be achieved. "Enlightened moderates" who have the intellect to promulgate free and sacular ideologies be encouraged and brought to the upper stratas of our rulers. The multi-millionaire traders, manufacturers, industrialists, bankers and intellectuals are the people who can bring about this change. "Economic crunch" which directly hits the stomach is to be remedied by the people mentioned above. These selfish, callous and short-sighted classes are supposed to provide their labourers enough to keep them thriving. Our country is in dire need of changing into an industrial state instead of the thousands-of-years-old agrarian system. Because agrarian society is accumulating wealth and culture into a few traders' hands in the cities and these callous individuals mix the above-mentioned entities with religion and in-conivance with greedy religious clerics manipulate the destiny of the hundred and sixty million Pakistanis.
-Dr Shaukat Amanullah, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Posted By: shaista @ 11/14/2007 5:08:36 AM

Comment: Comments: "" Musharaf what Musharaf does "
Musharaf Promise Elections, he also promised to take off his uniform before December 31, 2004, Musharaf also promised that he will accept the decision of Supreme court for eligibility, but ............?

Musharaf promise that he will eliminate terrorism but expand

Musharaf promise the World that he will fight against terrorism, but he released the terrorist

Musharaf what Musharaf promised

How the US and international community belief on such person who has the said credential

How the world belief on such person who dash to ground what he oath

How the world rely on such person who promised his nation that he will remained a civilian president after December 31 ,2004 and still with uniform

How the US belief that he will safe guard the nuke, I think he will hand over to the terrorist for the sake of his power when he deem so

He does all what he can for the sake of power

We the world should to realized and analyse his past actions that how he selfish person, and what good be expect from

If a man not sincere with his nation or people how the other world expect

If he declared himself as moderate why the moderate (HRC, LAWERS, Politions and judges) are in jailed and why he released the terrorist

This is what moderations

One day the whole world will see an atomic bomb in the hand of Alqueda's during Mushraf' regim

And the Alqueda command or authority will be in the hand of Musharaf and he will annouced and promised that the world that you are now safe

He then compelled the world to support me other wise you will be bombing

Shaista Khan

shaistakhan6@hotmail.com
Posted By: ihsanfsd @ 11/14/2007 12:17:34 AM

Comment: Pervez Musharaf might well be a dicitator, but we must understand that there is a difference between being a dictator and being a dictator with a vision. His vision is to first educate the people about the meaning of democracy and their rights using media, But, unfortunately, that immature media indulged into yellow and sensational journalism rather than educating people about the challenges confronting Pakistan. For last many days, same media is portraying Benzir Bhutto, the ex-prime minister, as the champion and saviour of Pakistan and its democracy willfully oblivious of the fact that two terms of her rule in Pakistan were the most corrupt and the most haughty ones in the anals of this prepetually belaboured country.
I appeal to all Pakistanis to understand the critical situation we are facing. I ask you if our borders at Kasur or elsewhere are so tightly closed, and rightfully so, shouldn't they be closed at Wazirstan or elsewhere to plug infilteration and black businesses?
Posted By: ihsanfsd @ 11/14/2007 12:05:44 AM

Comment: Pervez Musharaf might well be a dicitator, but we must understand that there is a difference between being a dictator and being a dictator with a vision. His vision is to first educate the people about the meaning of democracy and their rights using media, But, unfortunately, that immature media indulged into yellow and sensational journalism rather than educating people about the challenges confronting Pakistan. For last many days, same media is portraying Benzir Bhutto, the ex-prime minister, as the champion and saviour of Pakistan and its democracy willfully oblivious of the fact that two terms of her rule in Pakistan were the most corrupt and the most haughty ones in the anals of this prepetually belaboured country.
I appeal to all Pakistanis to understand the critical situation we are facing. I ask you if our borders at Kasur or elsewhere are so tightly closed, and rightfully so, shouldn't they be closed at Wazirstan or elsewhere to plug infilteration and black businesses?
Posted By: waqas.khwaja @ 11/13/2007 7:16:08 AM

Comment: This is what dictators do ll the time, when he foresees his downfall; change the entire judiciary to get the desired decisions, block the protests, impose restrictions on media to block negative sentiments, disallow the opposition leaders to prtest agaisnt his barbariasm.

He is truly a traitor killing his own fellow country men and army personnel to safeguard his dictatorship. I request the international media and world leaders to strongly against him so that he is shown his way back.
Posted By: usmanakram @ 11/13/2007 6:28:12 AM

Comment: Pakistan is in difficult times
We have suicide bombers trying to kill our leaders and Militia on Afgan-Pakistan border trying to take control of border areas (warlordism).
We have corrupt politicians trying to overthrow Musharaff so they can come into power and we have Judiciary taking part in politics supporting opposition politicians and releasing extremists and terrorirsts.
Who can say, Judiciary and Media wasn't free in Pakistan? when there have been so many hearing about the president and government, when the decision is in oppositions favour, government accepts it and opposition is happy however when the decision is in government's favour, opposition does not accept it.
Majority of Pakistanis just want to live in peace so it is important to keep the economy running.
Pakistan faces many challenges and I personally believe Musharaff is the best person for the job, democracy will only cause more problems and the world shall see. Alas, everyone is cricising Musharaff now and soon they will be criticising democratically selected government. Pakistan will continue to suffer.
Posted By: nazia @ 11/13/2007 4:35:06 AM

Comment: Now real face of military dictator has finaly comes out .That is the true face of a general that western forces were trying to plate with democratic norms in last years for their own interest.Why west always tried to impose that system on us that is completely out dated in their own system.?Recent comments in daily telegraph for our most liberal and modern (called by west) has again showed his lower status or now we can say his time is over . Now he is traitor of his nation as he killed his army and countrymen for foriegn interests and he haunted the west by showing them the activities of beard men and label them as terrorists.He treated civilians and his opponents as worst enemies , resulting strong hatred feelings against army.Now whole countlry is his battle ground but he is forgeting that throughout his carreer , he is a looser on all fronts and history is witness of his defeats.
Posted By: Yasirbhatti @ 11/13/2007 3:10:24 AM

Comment: hi
Posted By: Yasirbhatti @ 11/13/2007 3:09:03 AM

Comment: My opinion about Musharraf is clear that he don't want to anyone else to be elected as prime minister against him. He just want his rule everywhere thats why he imposed emergency and stop all pasries for public meetings and lot of politician got arrested in some days as they can't work for any party before election this is realy a bad act,,,,,,,
and now the new amendments also occurs that army gets alot power that army can do court martial of civilians also????
Posted By: aman04 @ 11/12/2007 12:50:39 PM

Comment: Musharraf has given date for election under emergency. This will a sham elections. The platfarm is set to give free hand to PML(Q) and allies. This is so clear, that under the emergency public meetings and gatherings are banned for opposition parties. But Punjab chief Minister and Sindh chief minister are holding public meetings regularly. Their is no restrictions on them.
One intresting thing coming up, that every time Benzair announce any public meeting like in Rawalpindi and now in Lahore, Govt. spread the news about possible suicide bombers attack. Why these bombers are not going into Govt. rallies? It clearly shows that ruling party is behind these attacks and threats. They are afraid of free and fair elections. If any party decides to go into this election, it would be the worst mistake. Becuase the rigging plan is ready.
Abid Shakeel
Posted By: halfmad @ 11/12/2007 4:54:49 AM

Comment: Well what I believe is that MUSHARAF is 80% rite in all his actions... before emergency there were bomb blasts every single day... but now, after emergency, the situation is quite under control... I think if Musharaf has controlled terrorisom to some extent just in one week, hat tink what he can do in coing 5 years...

Musharaf is better than any other current politician in Pakistan, Nawaz sharif was known for its bad doing, corruption and wrong usage of power, ?Banzir Bhutto ran tha most corrupted govt ever in Pakistan...trillions of balck money she made in just 3 years of her rule.... But nothing is attached with Musharaf...

Musharaf is the best choice for Pakistana s a president.....
Posted By: stallion25 @ 11/12/2007 1:56:37 AM

Comment: The west has vested interests in Musharraf irrespective of the fact what the people of Pakistan want. He has been given the certificate that he is the only person/authority in Pakistan who will counter the extremism and terrorism which is totally a negation of the ground reality. This nation is made of 160 Million people and 80% or I should say 90% of the people of Pakistan are against the extremism and terrorism. If power is concentrated in a single person who is not enjoying the support of 90% of the people how can he be successful in countering terrorism? A popular support is essential for this national issue and its overall impact on the war on terrorism will be positive if the people of Pakistan are given the power. At a nutshell Musharraf support by the west should be diverted to the people of Pakistan for fruitful result in the world???s effort against the terrorists.
Posted By: stallion25 @ 11/12/2007 1:53:13 AM

Comment: The west has vested interests in Musharraf irrespective of the fact what the people of Pakistan want. He has been given the certificate that he is the only person/authority in Pakistan who will counter the extremism and terrorism which is totally a negation of the ground reality. This nation is made of 160 Million people and 80% or I should say 90% of the people of Pakistan are against the extremism and terrorism. If power is concentrated in a single person who is not enjoying the support of 90% of the people how can he be successful in countering terrorism? A popular support is essential for this national issue and its overall impact on the war on terrorism will be positive if the people of Pakistan are given the power. At a nutshell Musharraf support by the west should be diverted to the people of Pakistan for fruitful result in the world???s effort against the terrorists.Engr. Intikhab Alam
Posted By: stallion25 @ 11/12/2007 1:34:20 AM

Comment: The west has vested interests in Musharraf irrespective of the fact what the people of Pakistan want. He has been given the certificate that he is the only person/authority in Pakistan who will counter the extremism and terrorism which is totally a negation of the ground reality. This nation is made of 160 Million people and 80% or I should say 90% of the people of Pakistan are against the extremism and terrorism. If power is concentrated in a single person who is not enjoying the support of 90% of the people how can he be successful in countering terrorism? A popular support is essential for this national issue and its overall impact on the war on terrorism will be positive if the people of Pakistan are given the power. At a nutshell Musharraf support by the west should be diverted to the people of Pakistan for fruitful result in the world???s effort against the terrorists.Engr. Intikhab Alam
Posted By: shaista @ 11/12/2007 12:12:31 AM

Comment: Comments: New Game of Musharaf create Alarming situations for the International Community and US Esp.
By announcing the Election shedule under emergency and Marshal Law, his intentions seem quite danger and alarming to the world as under his eight years of rule he promote the religious parties, produce terrorist and extremist make them able how to fight against the moderate.
Now from his intentions he will make almost all the citizen of pakistan extremist and terrorist because from his brutal actions and steps he make the publict to extreme

Being an Army General he convey the message to his subordinate that any of in the Army who has sympathy with Taliban or Alqueda can follow and the Army backing will be with him

He make the public sentiments upto the stage that is enough to push the country in civil war

If the civil war once start then hundred percent surety of controlling the Nuke under the extremist

Musharaf I think play a game that make the public so irritated to start a civil war where the whole benifit reached to the Terrorist group who waiting anexiously and they are hope full that Musharaf game for protecting his power totally benefit the extremist

The extremists and terrorists hopes are developing as with expansion of Musharaf regime

Because almost 90% and above of the Pakistani have anti Musharaf sentiments and if he continue these anti sentiments reached to the stage to make this country the hell and hell for the workd too, because of nuke power

I humbly request the World community and esp the US to save the huminity and the expected dangours

All libral are in jail including human rights commisions personal as well, these are terrorist in Musharaf new game and the Taliban and Alqeadas are moderate

Shaista khan

shaistakhan6@hotmail.com
Posted By: tariqwah32 @ 11/11/2007 11:49:46 PM

Comment: Musharraf is the very reason that extremism exists in Pakistan. Taliban was originally created by Pakistan Army and during army eight years rule they only flourished in Pakistan. Musharraf is brutally cracking down liberal and secure element in Pakistan and at the same time releasing score of convicted Taliban from jails. Taliban was created by Pakistan Army and this ugly creation won't go away as long as their patorns are in power. USA has given billion of dollars to Pakistan Army to fight terrorism and these dollars has gone into pockets of Army Generals without any serious effort to eradicate the menace of Islamic extremism. That is why Al-Qaeda is flourishing in Pakistan and military is creating room for them by shutting down institutions of civil society.
It is high team that west recognize true face of Musharraf. The only solution to Pakistan problem and extermism is democracy and not Musharraf.
Posted By: tariqwah32 @ 11/11/2007 11:33:50 PM

Comment: Musharraf is the very reason that extremism exists in Pakistan and flourishing now. Pakistan Army created Taliban and they have mush-roomed in Pakistan during last eight years of army rule under Musharraf. This ugly creation won't go away as long as their Patron Pakistan Army is in power and supporting them secretly. Pakistan's only choice is democracy that can put a check on military and rid Pakistan from these extermist elements.
Musharraf is arresting secular and liberal people in Pakistan while at the same time releasing score of convicted Taliban.
Billion of dollars given to him by USA has only gone into Pakistan Army Generals pockets and not a single dollar is spent to fight terrorism. Due to Musharraf and Pakistan army brutal crackdown on liberal elements in Pakistan, Al-Qaeda is finding a room and growing in Pakistan.
It is high time that west recognize true face of Musharraf and his cohorts.
Posted By: lovejusticepeace @ 11/11/2007 3:40:57 PM

Comment: Pakistan aws involved in the Indian Airlines plane hijack to Kandhahar.
Pakistan was involved in the planebombing of WTC on 9/11.
What else ?
Posted By: lovejusticepeace @ 11/11/2007 3:39:38 PM

Comment: Pakistan was involved in the Indian airlines plane hijack to Kandahar.
Pakistan wwas involved in the plane bombing of WTC.
What else ?
Posted By: nazeer ahmad @ 11/11/2007 2:01:30 PM

Comment: Militar rule and democracy are two opposites. To expect free, fair and transparent elections under a martial law is oxymoron. Pre-November 3 Pakistan was certainly on a path leading to a completely independent judicary. It had a relatively free media. Judicary and media compensated for a highly depoliticized and de-unionized environment wehre political parties and trade unions were very weak.

When the Constitution is held in abeyance, fundamental rights suspended, independent judges not only removed but arrested and humiliated, and media taken off the screens, the holding of elections seems ritualistic, if not farcical.