Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Desperate General

Lately, with the judiciary stealing a march over him and an upsurge of a strong democratic movement, it was actually the General who was facing an emergency situation to hang on to power. As stability in its neighbourhood is of paramount importance, New Delhi will do well to do everything within its democratic powers to rally world opinion on the issue.

Suresh Manoharan,

Hyderabad

Whenever India raised the issue of terrorist training camps in Pakistan, General Musharraf kept saying that there were no terrorists there. Now, he has cited terrorism and extremism as the reasons for imposing Emergency. Where have these terrorists come from? Pakistan seems to have become a victim of its own policies against India.

S.S. Kaddargi,

Gulbarga It is unfortunate that General Musharraf has used an undemocratic method to remain in power. His reasons for imposing Emergency look very churlish. Surely, he cannot believe that the militants can be reined in by such an act.

Shiv Pratap,

New Delhi

In his address to the nation after imposing Emergency, General Musharraf said “terrorism in Pakistan had reached an extreme level.” But do you have to impose emergency to fight terrorism? It is simply a ruse to remain in power.

Sachin Bharadwaj,

New Delhi

The wily diplomat that he is, General Musharraf has time and again manipulated things to give the world community the impression that he is sincere about restoring democracy in Pakistan. In truth, he has always acted in his own interests. I fervently hope that for Pakistan this is only the darkness before the dawn.

Arun Dash,

Hyderabad

The situation in Pakistan is such that we must not drop our guard. The U.S too has a vital role to play. It should review and reassess its policy of patronising Pakistan.

S. Royappan,

Sivagangai

The General alone cannot be blamed for the situation in Pakistan. All his predecessors, whether dictators or politicians, have miserably failed the country since its formation. Unless Pakistan is reclaimed from the hold of religious fundamentalists, it will continue to suffer at the hands of either military rulers or selfish politicians. If the General is sincere, he should flush out the extremists and then declare Pakistan a democratic republic.

N. Nagarajan,

Secunderabad

Mohammed Ali Jinnah died a bitter man soon after his “moth-eaten Pakistan” became a reality. Since then that country has seen more of military rule than democracy. Therefore, it is unfair to accuse General Musharraf of taking Pakistan into uncharted territory. In fact, in the circumstances, he could not have done otherwise. Unlike his predecessors who ruled Pakistan without shedding their uniform, he has at least promised to step down as army chief once his election as President is officially confirmed.

J. Akshobhya,

Mysore

History has repeatedly shown that once a military ruler assumes power it is almost impossible to make him abdicate and hand over power to an elected government. In Pakistan, the main impediment in the path to democracy is the excessive role of the army in government.

K.V. Ravindran,

Payyanur

S. Renga,

Toronto

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