Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Democracy in peril

The arrest of the former Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, and his deportation to Jeddah — in utter disregard for the Supreme Court ruling permitting him to return and directing the government to ensure that he is not hindered — expose President Pervez Musharraf’s desperation to hold on to power at any cost. It is indeed unfortunate that Benazir Bhutto did not join hands with Mr. Sharif in seizing what could have been a golden opportunity to restore democracy in Pakistan.

V. Hari Haran,
Chennai

Mr. Sharif’s return would have served to strengthen the political process, encouraged other leaders in exile to return and paved the way for one of the most hotly contested general elections. The opportunity has been lost.

J.S. Acharya,
Hyderabad

Pakistani politics has once again fallen to abysmal depths. Democracy, never its strong point, has taken a beating yet again. The fact that Gen. Musharraf’s re-election would become difficult with Mr. Sharif around made the General refuse him entry into Pakistan. It is unlikely that the army will be sent back to the barracks after the coming elections. The possibility of Pakistan descending into chaos with the promulgation of martial law looks real now.

Subramanyam Sridharan,
Chennai

Mr. Sharif’s deportation is yet another blot on Pakistan’s chequered political history. The move is a desperate attempt by the General to cling to power. The misadventure will prove to be counter-productive in the long run as Mr. Sharif can become a potential rallying point for all democratic forces in Pakistan.

B. Suresh Kumar,
Coimbatore

By denying Mr. Sharif his fundamental right to return to his country, Gen. Musharraf has not only defied the Supreme Court’s verdict but also rendered himself much weaker and less credible than ever.

B.V. Siva Prasad,

Vijayawada

Mr. Sharif’s arrest and deportation on his return to Islamabad have accentuated the political crisis in the country and increased the people’s hostility towards the Musharraf regime. Mr. Sharif’s return was a well calculated move by him to mobilise popular support and revive his political fortunes. It is well known that he agreed to go into exile in return for the dropping of all charges of corruption against him.

What we in India should worry about is Pakistan’s stability. Turmoil there will lead to the collapse of all that has been achieved by the peace process. Gen. Musharraf’s continuation in power is in India’s interest as he can prevent Pakistan from slipping into the hands of religious extremists.

A. Digu,
Coimbatore

An unstable Pakistan poses a major threat to India’s security. While the Indian government’s neutral approach to the political imbroglio in Pakistan is praiseworthy, a simultaneous heightening of vigil in the border areas is most essential. History tells us that whipping up anti-India sentiments and resorting to military adventurism have been convenient strategies for Pakistan’s military rulers to divert people’s attention from critical issues.

V.N. Mukundarajan,
Thiruvananthapuram

India needs to carefully monitor the post-deportation scenario as the Pakistan army seems to be fast losing ground and is desperate to establish its credibility. It may attempt a misadventure or step up the infiltration of armed militants into Indian territory.

S.V. Shashidhar,
Bangalore

The U.S. claims that it invaded Iraq to liberate its people from the clutches of dictator Saddam Hussein and restore democracy. But it supports Gen. Musharraf, a military dictator, and even calls him its best ally in the ‘war on terror.’ And when the dictator deports Mr. Sharif on his return to Pakistan, it describes the deportation as an “internal matter.” In other words, whether it is a dictator or a democratically elected leader, he is acceptable to the U.S. only if he serves its vested interests.

B. Salahuddin,
Mumbai

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