Three-way struggle

After a brief lull, Pakistani politics is in turmoil again

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Regarding Waseem Khan's comments, the problem is that Pakistanis want to have their cake and eat it too. They demand (not ask) the USA give them its latest weapons, and then they harbor terrorist groups trying to attack the US. They engage in blackmail extortion racket by saying that if the weapons are not provided, then the terrorists could succeed in their designs. This is the same game that was played by Arafat ("if you don't give me what I want, the suicide bombers will prevail") The world needs to show Pakistan the stick and not he carrot. The extortion racket should not be appeased. Muslims need to understand that sovereignty is a two-way street: if you want others to respect your territorial sovereignty, then you have to fulfill the responsibilities that come with sovereignty. If terror-bombers are operating out of your territory, then their acts are your fault, and you have to be accountable for stopping them, or else others will not stand idly by and let such attacks continue.

waseem khan

The most irritating thing for pakistanis is American interferrence. Pakistani ruling elite cannot take decisions without American approval. America,unaware of pakistan's political basis, wants to establish its hegemony and uses the country to meet its political ends.In 2001, entire nation was against pakistan's decision of putting its eggs in American basket. For this decision PAkistan fell prey to terrorism.It suffered militarily losing the Muslim countries' trust.
At this critical junture when Washington should support judges reinstatement, it is silent. As by reinstatement of judges it will lose an ally,Musharaf, who has much "experience in coping terrorism".
While the military dictator doffed the uniform but he wanted to still remain at the helm of power.
The rifts between the curreent coalition partners can also be associated with America who wanted to appease its ally in islamabad.
Pakistan will pay heavy price of American friendship who, unaware of ground realities, dictates from Washington. There is need to take u-turn in foreing policies.
"Pakistan is not a poor country but poorly managed"


In Pakistan democracy has come through deals between the military establishment and comfortably exiled (and very rich) politicians, backed by powerful international interlocators. It certainly was not a result of a general struggle undertaken by political foces. Therefore ouur popular 'democrats' cant back out, can they. Despite all the bad press, why does the US back Mr. Musharraf? He is relativley honest, sincere and willing to take tough (sometime unpopular) decisions. The politicians are corrupt, egoistic and inept. The voting population have very short term memory but Pakistan's donors and financiers have a good sense of the track rrecord of all the players. The press, including this newspaper, will not look beyond the uniform but if they did they will see Musharraf as better of the lot.

zubair hamid

If military wants to call the shots why have democracy at all. The present crises is not due to the present gov, but due to the policies of the pre gov. The whole crises will be used to discredit the politicians, political process and the main stream political parties, to bring in military rule once again or to bring in hand picked politicians by military. Pakistan military will not loose its grip on the helm of affairs. It just does not want to loose control of the resources it has takenover during the last 60 years. It not Musharraff alone, its the whole military and its cronies who are going to benefit in the short run by maintaining the status quo.


Why cant the so called democrats share power with the military. Which book says they cannot be apart of government. I better society would emerge.

Not surprising.

The country lacks a critical mass of decent middle class professionals with clout, a civil mindset and a vested interest in the rule of law.

Add in the original sin of a bigoted foundational premise (the use of religion to discriminate between citizens), usage of violence and threats of violence to establish the state in 1947 (implicitly sanctifying violence to achieve aims), and the lack of a historical authenticity, and it's surprising it lasted this long.

zubair hamid

i am a pakistani in mid 40s who has moved out of Pakistan because of the political amd social situation. It was a tough decision as I was at a very senior position in an regulatory body in Paksitan and presently I am unemployed. But the situation in Pakistan is so suffocating and depressing that I have preferred this un employment. I finaly concluded that no body wants to change the situation and its a dirty mix army, politicians and bureaucracy, with army in the lead through its agencies, with the support of USA. Pakisatn is going to be history within a decade.


The political arena of Pakistan seems to be as archaic as the cavemen era. The degree of disorganisation based in the governmental core is as bad as the one seen on the streets of Pakistan. The essential problem lies in the fact that people, including those who run for governmental seats, rule everything at personal levels not professional ones. Pragmatism is unknown and personal attack, embezzelment of all sorts run high. Pervez, brought for years some kind of stability to the region yet his needs for repression thru his army lead the country into an impass and the return of the undesirable Benazhir in Karachi last year 2007. The existing parties are potential nonsense in Pakistan in ways that only their financial states and self serving image has to bend the will of the people who are uneducated and naive enough to think that either of the candidates or party is going to help them solve their problems. Naivety becomes very expensive when none of the problem can be solve and democracy can be found or based nowhere or expected from nobody.
It is not by creating a presidential post and a prime ministerial post jointly in the government that problems will be solved either. It remains a vicious circle of people's poverty and of a government running away quietly with funds covered in blood. Subsequently, naive pakistani young adult will flood the UK thinking only about money and not understanding anything about democracy either.
So what solution is left for Pakistan?
All party allianced into one government with equal power so as to not allow any of them any kind of favoritism or self enrichment thru illegality from which people will suffer even longer. Neither Zardari, Shariff or Musharaf alone sitting as the ruling party is the answer, the grudges from the past will always resurface and create unwanted situation for everybody.
Parties based on families ties are bound to fail because too many personal intrigues get in the way and those parties end up thinking so strongly that the country's people belong to them as second hand clothes walking around in rugs.

Atif B

It is crunch time for Pakistanis to decide whether they want to live in a society that is based on supremacy of law and constitution and is governed according to the boundaries set for the different organs of the state therein, or if they will continue to live under the yoke of military rule. The PPP because of compulsions of its corrupt leaders, who can not themselves afford to be confronted with an independent powerful judiciary, is currently playing the role of the King's Party. So its futile to look towards them and the PDA alliance to settle this issue on the table amicably. I think questions of this importance are going to be settled on the streets of Pakistan with the people rising up and declaring their rejection of army's stranglehold on the power structures of the country. We have been getting a preview of whats to come in the struggle of the lawyers, civil society groups and students this past year. Several un/related issues like rising cost of food and fuel and extremism promise to make this a real summer of discontent for Pakistan. I just hope that we come on the other side of it with the judges restored and Musharraf hanged for his ****ing with the constitution.


The civilian government has to be very careful not to fulfill what the Pakistan army has been saying about them since the 1950s. They will take Pakistan "down". Particularly difficult for the well-meaning Zirdari and Nawab Shariff, is that of all the military generals who ruled Pakistan , Musharraf has done the best for Pakistan's economy and her international relations. Yes, he authored the Kargil misadventure, but has made amends subsequently to bring relations with India to a hopeful platform. He is the best peace-maker India has ever had, although Nawaz Shariff is not far behind. Indian policy-makers must be happy to see him back in Pakistan.
It will be a shame if the judges issue should rock the foundations of this new government. One solution would be to expand the Supreme Court, accommodating the old and new batch of the judges. The restoration of the old can be done through a new category of law, called, "Organic Law on the Judiciary". This would be legally same as a statute but will require a 60% parliamentary majority to enact or to amend. It won't be the same as a constitutional provision which may require a 2/3rd majority or 75% of those present and voting to amend.
The judges issue has to be dealt with to satisfy popular feeling but the two main parties and Musharraf and the army must agree not to make a big issue out of it. That should allay some of Zirdari's fears.
India is hoping against hope that this new government in Pakistan will set the pattern for the future in Pakistan. A democratic Pakistan is good for India from many angles. For all their faults, an accountable civilian government can never be an extremist entity. Pakistani businessess will benefit through direct access to the large Indian market. Only business can change the mind-set of these two peoples - slightly mad that they are.


Overlooking international problems such as high oil prices and uncontrollable events like lack of rain. The situation in Pakistan started to tumble when the PPP and PML N gained momentum after the suspension of the CJ. The problem is with these political dynasties, they lack awareness on how the real world works. They falsely claimed that when elected prices will fall, the poor believed this lie from these parties before the elections. They claimed Musharraf was raising prices to humiliate the poor for some unknown reason. Actions such as releasing terrorists in Bolachstan and others areas. Amazingly one PPP member of parliament even is lobbying for inclusion of the criminals of Lyani be included in the police force, how many people think that is a good idea? I am not claiming the PML Q (previous govt) were great at governing, I am saying this govt have not shown any real intelligence.


Given the bickering between Sharif and Zardari, the coalition is unlikely to last long and we may see Musharraf or someone handpicked by him and the Army Chief Kayani in the saddle sooner rather than later. For all his failings, Musharraf still enjoys credibility as an incorruptible patriot, something which a Mr 10% like Zardari can never hope to get. Democratically elected governments have failed Pakistan so many times that civilian rule appears more of an abberation than the norm. The confrontation between the two coalition partners shows that while Sharif is adamant Zardari is pragmatic. Still Sharif occupies the moral high ground of fighting to restore judges sacked unfairly by Musharraf.ASHISH VAIDYA

Nauman M

I can't understand why the newly elected government is focusing all their effort in restoring the judges sacked by President Musharraf. There are so many problems within the country that needs immediate attention and action. The falling value of Rupee against Dollar, mounting inflation, current downfall in the Karachi Stock Exchange and the escalating prices of food items. I am not saying that Sacked Judges should not be restored but the common man is suffering due to this issue and this is not at all acceptable.

U N Han

Pakistan's politicians depend on army for power. Various political parties are in constant contact with army for support. Election in Pakistan is only an eye wash. Army personnel still control the country. Democracy is a distant possibility. To make the condition worse , tribal chiefs try to enforce archaic Islamic laws.



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