The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Pakistan crisis

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Friday, Nov 16, 2007
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Pakistan crisis

Ever since the ousted Chief Justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, was reinstated, Pervez Musharraf was evidently uncomfortable. The only way in which he could muffle the judiciary’s voice was by imposing the Emergency. Whether the U.S. approves of it or not, the General is yearning to cling to political power and the uniform simultaneously. It is hardly surprising that Benazir Bhutto has expressed her disapproval of Gen. Musharraf’s action in no uncertain terms (“Musharraf’s electoral farce,” Nov. 15). It is a pity that the people of Pakistan are languishing under draconian rule with their political leaders forced into hibernation.

B.V. Kumar,

Chennai

* * *

It is strange that Ms Bhutto has started and ended her exclusive article with references to the “Soviet Empire.” There is nothing common between Pakistan and the former Soviet Union. For nearly a century, the people of the Soviet Union made tremendous sacrifices to create a better society for themselves. What are the contributions of the Pakistani system and leaders like Ms Bhutto towards making the lives of their people happier? Continuous conflicts, chaos, bloodshed, corruption, and mismanagement?

E.P. Menon,

Bangalore

* * *

Ever since its formation, Pakistan has relied on its army and terrorists to destabilise India. Sadly, the forces Pakistan trained to attack India have now turned against it. Unable to deal with the fundamentalism he and his predecessors helped nurture, Gen. Musharraf had no alternative but to declare an Emergency supposedly to contain the extremist forces whereas the real reason was his apprehension of an adverse Supreme Court verdict. However, his action does not seem to be yielding the results he expected. Parts of NWFP are under the control of Islamist terrorists. The General, who has already alienated the political forces, is now floundering in a vortex of indecision.

Krishna Menon,

Kottayam

* * *

This refers to the article “Blaming it on the judiciary in Pakistan (Nov. 14).” Whether Gen. Musharraf’s contention that the judiciary is to blame for the imposition of Emergency is valid is of secondary concern. Democracy in Pakistan has been jeopardised and needs to be restored immediately. Unfortunately, Pakistan seems to have no democratic leader who can replace the general. Neither Ms Bhutto nor Nawaz Sharif, both of whom have corruption charges against them, can be seen as ideal leaders.

Farah Yameen,

Patna

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