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Darkness in Pakistan

The editorial ‘Darkness in Pakistan’ (Nov. 5) has succinctly evaluated the situation in Pakistan following the imposition of emergency by General Pervez Musharraf. His excuses for the ill-considered action lack credence. The retrograde step will only serve to inflame passions and, as you have pointed out, “the cold-blooded calculations are there for all to see.” General Musharraf’s action has lowered Pakistan’s image in the eyes of the world and goes to corroborate Shelley’s words: “Power, like a desolating pestilence, pollutes whate’er it touches.”

K.S. Thampi,

Chennai

How one wishes one can hope, along with your brilliant editorial, for the return of democracy in Pakistan soon. But in the context of the real and ever-growing dangers to India’s territorial integrity to wish, as you do, that the present Emergency in Pakistan “is only a darkness before the dawn” promises to be only a pious hope!

K. Vedamurthy,

Chennai

The myth that General Musharraf had managed to create around him — that he is different from other dictators such as General Zia — has been shattered. By imposing Emergency because of “serious internal strife,” the General has only proved right the former Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, who said General Musharraf is “part of the problem and not part of the solution.” As your editorial has rightly said, Pakistan People’s Party leader Benazir Bhutto should seize the initiative and lead a resistance movement to put an end “to this sordid betrayal of her country by the deeply discredited General.”

K. Aravamudhan,

New Delhi

The excellent editorial has correctly captured the situation in which Pakistan finds itself. Though it is being attempted to make a fine distinction between Emergency and martial law, there need be no doubt. This is indeed martial law. It can now be assumed that General Musharraf will turn out to be another General Zia at least in perpetuating military rule with a civilian face. That will be a nightmare scenario for the world in general and India in particular.

Subramanyam Sridharan,

Chennai

It doesn’t seem likely that Pakistan will ever bask under a truly secular democratic sun. General Musharraf does not seem to have realised that it will be difficult to silence the people who have seen, if not experienced, the benefits of democracy in their neighbourhood.

Ved K. Guliani,

Bangalore

The rousing welcome accorded to Ms. Bhutto on her arrival in Karachi last month raised hopes that a return to civilian democracy was not far away. But it was not to be. However, as you have observed, it is heartening that the people of Pakistan are unwilling to be silenced by the guns of the martial law regime and are protesting.

A. Jainulabdeen,

Chennai

General Musharraf has revealed his true self. Ms Bhutto, who committed a mistake by agreeing to a “deal” with the General, now has the responsibility of making efforts to unite all sections of the people including the political parties to throw out the military regime.

J. Churchill,

Vangathangudi, T.N.

The Emergency in Pakistan could have repercussions beyond Asia. All concerned must fight to ensure that democracy is restored in that country as soon as possible. This is in the interest of Pakistan as well as the world.

Dinu Jose,

Thiruvananthapuram

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