Q&A

'Pakistanis Know I Can Be Tough’

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf talks about fair elections, Benazir Bhutto's assassination and security in the region.

By Fareed Zakaria | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jan 12, 2008 | Updated: 12:28  p.m. ET Jan 12, 2008

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  • Posted By: Mansoor @ 01/26/2008 11:58:28 AM

    Nobody is 100% perfect but President Musharraf is the capable and right man and once u listen to him you want to support his efforts. As far as West /US support is concern , they should be thankfull that we are fighting their war , and we expect full and long term support, and they must stop threatening statements, specialy from those who are yet to win their nominations. betraying us will this time will be dangerous but not for us.

  • Posted By: nawawimohamad @ 01/19/2008 7:46:12 AM

    Musharraf is having a very, very tough time fighting at least four major elements. Firstly the insurgents trying to destablize Pakistan. Secondly the political oppositions. Thirdly the state of its dwindling economy. The fourth is the fact that the US is withdrawing its support and at the same time threatening him. But the media is only adding fuel to the fire. A Kohar mentioned that the Pakistanis are a vesatile and resilient lot. I hope Musharraf and the Pakistanis will succeed.

  • Posted By: lbertybell @ 01/16/2008 11:31:07 PM

    Gentlemen: It is said in the article that "Graham Allison of Harvard says that these weapons must be disbursed for them to have survivability, which "

    A Harvard man would be most likely to say "dispersed." "Dispersed" means the weapons are scattered about in obscure places. "Disbursed" means paid out, as by a paymaster.

  • Posted By: Distant @ 01/16/2008 3:43:39 PM

    Personally I think we should withdraw all aid and trade from the whole region. I cannot begin to describe how utterly sick and tired I am of the whole area and all their petty squabbling.

  • Posted By: A Khokar @ 01/16/2008 1:32:02 PM

    Pakistanis are a notch above the rest:

    Soon after the end of Afghan war; with out an ample warning and time given to Pakistan that it was still stuck with the aftermath mess of Afghan War; USA (which was now a sole super power) launched an offensive in Middle East and physically moved in and avail a foot hold in Iraq; US is having a deferred plan to finally move into Afghanistan to achieve a full control of Broader Middle East i.e. (Pakistan, Central Asia and Middle East) and beyond. The incident of 9/11 in USA enabled a wide range escalation and a boost in the operations in the Middle East war theatre. A splinter organisation of Old Mujahideen Forces; Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan was declared as Terrorist and US enemy in context of 9/11 incident. An extensive carpet bombing of selected area in Afghanistan was carried out. This unprovoked attack was seen without any justification and resulted into mass migration of people from Afghanistan to Pakistan. These unprovoked attacks turned the people in Afghanistan and migrants against USA.

    In Middle East, Iraq has now successively been manipulated to shed its sovereignty; and finally it is emerging as American mega base; a well defined American launching Pad for its subsequent offensives to secure Afghanistan and Central Asian states. After Iraq the hurdle of Iran is proving to be a hard case to tackle. Afghanistan is the priority followed by the next target Pakistan. Pakistan; a nuclear power needs to be tamed and fully subjugated along with its nuclear assets as well as communication ports to form a secured American Strategic border line against the emerging world powers of future, found in this region like china and India.

    In Afghanistan US is already there along with the NATO forces. In view of the toilsome situation being experienced with Iran that it is taking too long to concede; it is most likely that Iran is by passed and US moves on.

    After 9/11; Pakistan although accepted US terms in good faith to go along with USA in its war against terrorism but it has been very difficult for Pakistan to change the realities on ground and achieve a 100 % successes to convince and subdue the angered Taliban in Afghanistan as well as their old affiliates living in Pakistan Tribal areas not to turn against USA.

    Benazir Bhutto assassination is a major blow for Pakistan and it has thrown Pakistan in to a thick of turmoil and anarchy. But Pakistanis are very versatile and resilient lot. They know how to meet the difficult goals even in the direful and precarious situations. To tackle the odds and turn the failures into success are the traits and hallmarks of their dynamism which distinguish them from others.
    --------------------------
    Love for all, Hatred for none

  • Posted By: Alvi @ 01/16/2008 1:24:11 PM

    Dear Ali, Bhuttos never used Military to take control of the party. They were accepted as leader by the workers and by the people. They always came to power through poipular vote, never by means of guns and buyllets. And I would like to remind you, ZAB's son, Mir Murtaza tried to take the leadership of PPP, but neither workers nor people accepted him as their leader. Hence proved, ultimately its the workers who decide the fate of the party leader.

  • Posted By: A Khokar @ 01/16/2008 12:55:15 PM

    In the war against Terrorism; neither Musharraf has been doing some noble jobs (i.e. killing his own people on Afghan Borders and keeping the ???Al-Qaeda as enemy decoy??? flags unfurled for the US forces to facilitate their military advances)???. nor US it self is out there on some charitable mission like feeding the destitute or housing them and restoring their lives?

    They say: ???neither you are poised there as God; nor am I, a spirited figure like Angles; then why should we have the veils woven in between us????* US or Pakistan or other NATO forces, all stand naked on the morality grounds.

    After Iraq; Afghanistan is situated at a vital central control point; as a hub to exercise US command and control in the energy rich lands of Central Asia and Middle East. Acquiring a good foot hold in Afghanistan is but vital to check the expected advances of future adversaries in the area;??? i.e. advances of Russia and other emerging economic powers like; China and India.

    The basic ingredient of US hegemonic policy is; that it thrives on anarchy, mayhem and turmoil in its target areas; and a ???Rule of Necessity??? very well fabricated to achieve the desired goals. US is also in habit of exterminating its hirelings and silencing them later for good. So condemnation of Musharraf at this conjuncture as a spent cartridge is very much understandable.

    It is but evident that US is simply looking for a pretext; potent enough to formulate an excuse; to attack Iran or go around Iran. Any little tittles tat initiated even by Israel may be the most appropriate!

    Pakistan is the next US target after Bush in done with Iran.


  • Posted By: alisays @ 01/16/2008 9:13:40 AM

    Bhutto the DEmocrat is as correct As to Satae that Lenin was the Pope
    Fuedalism is the opposite of Democracy
    Bhuttos will face Day of Judgement as any Jew ,christianor muslim so we leave that
    On reckless corruption and venegance she wins hands down as also on stealing from the nation till
    At 24 she lived in south of france with her silblings
    whose wealth she was enjoying
    Her father;s who was sentenced and upheld by the Supreme Court at the time
    Banish fuedalism and Democracy willflourish
    now headed by Zardari son BILAWALThis is sham fuedal democracy
    the civilized world calls it Hereditary right to govern

  • Posted By: Nagina @ 01/16/2008 5:09:13 AM

    With reference to Mr Musharraf's interview with Newsweek that " BB was very unpopular with the army" claiming she was !!!" irrelegious," and "backed by America" and "unislamic person not suitable to fight the terrorists". One needs to ask him as to 1.What is the need for the farce of general elections ? Rather a 100 or so generals should get together and announce who they think is popular with the army and install him as the puppet civilian face and carry on as before . This has been the impression of most Pakistanis and now Mr Musharraf has confirmed it on behalf of the army.
    2.What is the proof for (shaheed ) Benazir's irreligiousness and where has he and most of the members of his regime got their Islamic, religious credentials apparently so essential for fighting terrorism. 3.Who is being backed by America with more than 10 billion dollars "spent" in the so called war against terror by the army and a plethora of statements of support by US administration from top to bottom that Mr Musharraf and his allies are indispensable for America.
    It is indeed shameful to come out with these untenable accusations after she has been silenced by a bullet. Shaheed Benazir shall live forever in the hearts of righteous Pakistanis and people allover the world for having sacrificed her life for freedom and democracy ...

  • Posted By: Nagina @ 01/16/2008 5:09:06 AM

    With reference to Mr Musharraf's interview with Newsweek that " BB was very unpopular with the army" claiming she was !!!" irrelegious," and "backed by America" and "unislamic person not suitable to fight the terrorists". One needs to ask him as to 1.What is the need for the farce of general elections ? Rather a 100 or so generals should get together and announce who they think is popular with the army and install him as the puppet civilian face and carry on as before . This has been the impression of most Pakistanis and now Mr Musharraf has confirmed it on behalf of the army.
    2.What is the proof for (shaheed ) Benazir's irreligiousness and where has he and most of the members of his regime got their Islamic, religious credentials apparently so essential for fighting terrorism. 3.Who is being backed by America with more than 10 billion dollars "spent" in the so called war against terror by the army and a plethora of statements of support by US administration from top to bottom that Mr Musharraf and his allies are indispensable for America.
    It is indeed shameful to come out with these untenable accusations after she has been silenced by a bullet. Shaheed Benazir shall live forever in the hearts of righteous Pakistanis and people allover the world for having sacrificed her life for freedom and democracy ...

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