Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
Moderators: Moderators, Junior Moderators
Forum rules
This General Forum is for general discussions from daily chitchat to more serious discussions among Somalinet Forums members. Please do not use it as your Personal Message center (PM). If you want to contact a particular person or a group of people, please use the PM feature. If you want to contact the moderators, pls PM them. If you insist leaving a public message for the mods or other members, it will be deleted.
This General Forum is for general discussions from daily chitchat to more serious discussions among Somalinet Forums members. Please do not use it as your Personal Message center (PM). If you want to contact a particular person or a group of people, please use the PM feature. If you want to contact the moderators, pls PM them. If you insist leaving a public message for the mods or other members, it will be deleted.
- michael_ital
- SomaliNet Super
- Posts: 16191
- Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2004 7:00 pm
- Location: Taranna
Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
Is it time for Musharraf to go?
MOHAMMAD KHALIL/AP
Pakistani police officers arrest a protester in Karachi yesterday. A general strike paralyzed the city as discontent grew over President Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s ouster of the chief justice and a weekend of violence that left dozens of people dead. Email story
Print
Choose text size
Report typo or correction
Email the author
License this article
Tag and save
May 15, 2007 04:30 AM
Olivia Ward
FOREIGN AFFAIRS WRITER
In the sticky heat of a New York September, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was cool and relaxed as he fielded polite questions from international journalists at the launch of his best-selling autobiography.
The question of his resignation from the office that he seized in a 1999 bloodless military coup was not on the table. And he explained that as a reformer, he would do what was best for the country.
Eight months later, Musharraf is feeling the heat from all directions, and the country is rising against him.
Pakistan's major cities are paralyzed by political strikes and rocked by violence that has killed dozens – the latest, a Supreme Court registrar. Now, an increasing number of Pakistanis and foreign observers are thinking what was recently unthinkable: Is it time for Musharraf to go?
"In the last few days a feeling of tragedy is growing among Pakistanis," says Hassan Abbas, a research fellow of Harvard University's Belfer Center, and former Pakistani security official. "People who believed in the rule of law saw all their desires and dreams crushed by the violence of the last two days."
He added, "there is not just dislike of Musharraf, but hatred."
His fall would remove the regional linchpin for the West's fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Musharraf has been a key ally of George W. Bush since the U.S. president moved to oust neighbouring Afghanistan's Taliban government in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
For years, Musharraf has been the Houdini of political brinksmanship, dodging bombs and opposition salvos with uncanny aplomb. But now even his key supporters, the Pakistani military, are wavering.
A confrontation with Pakistan's top judge, Iftikhar Chaudhry – whom Musharraf accused of misusing his office and suspended – has sparked an explosion of protest from supporters as well as opponents.
Musharraf's political foes called the judge's suspension an attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary, and to rid the leader of obstacles to remaining in office as head of both the country and the army as a September presidential election approaches.
"(It) boils down to one simple fact," leading Pakistani journalist and author Ahmed Rashid wrote in The Washington Post. "He was not considered sufficiently reliable to deliver pleasing legal judgments in a year when Musharraf is seeking to extend his presidency for five more years, remain as army chief and hold what would undoubtedly be rigged general elections."
Musharraf accused Chaudhry of using his influence to obtain a police job for his son. But many in Pakistan disregarded the charge and united behind the judge, who became the most celebrated figure in the country.
Peaceful protests drew huge crowds in major cities, and a week ago a rally featuring Chaudhry in the Punjabi capital of Lahore alarmed Musharraf's supporters, who worried that the country's economic powerhouse, Karachi, could be next.
To block the Karachi rally the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), allies of Musharraf, held a rival event and confronted demonstrators on their way to greet Chaudhry, bringing anarchy and violence to the streets. The local security services were absent until more than 30 people were dead.
"That's what tipped the balance," says Toronto-based analyst Kamran Bokhari, an expert in the region who met with Musharraf last winter. "Goons were allowed to open fire, point blank, at opposition workers. It's taken a major psychological toll on the country."
Yesterday, Syed Hammad Raza, an official of Pakistan's Supreme Court and ally of Chaudhry, was also shot and killed at close range in his home, but no suspects have been arrested.
"The MQM were known for their underworld style behaviour," said Bokhari, a senior analyst for U.S.-based Strategic Forecasting Inc. "All over the country people were able to watch the violence on television and it horrified them. They have had enough."
The bloodshed, which Musharraf condemned but failed to halt, has ended the president's chances of re-election, Bokhari said. Above all his political survival is in doubt because his biggest backer, the military, is "ready to give him the boot."
"Pakistan's military is like a corporation. If the board of directors sees that the CEO is putting his interests above everybody else's, they get ready to negotiate a retirement package," he said.
In the wake of the violence, many of Musharraf's political allies are also backing off. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Party, withdrew his support, and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's popular Pakistan People's Party is expected to follow. The country's rival intelligence services are turning their backs on Musharraf.
The violence has also embarrassed Washington, which supplies Pakistan with money and financial support to join in the "war on terror."
"Anger in the U.S. Congress and media, particularly among members of the Republican party, toward Musharraf's dual-track policy in Afghanistan – helping to catch Al Qaeda but backing the Taliban – is making it difficult for President Bush to continue offering his blanket support," says Rashid.
To Abbas, a former official in Musharraf's government, the president is leading on borrowed time.
"He is living in a fool's paradise, surrounded by people who tell him what he wants to hear. He could try to muzzle the progressive democratic forces through a military clampdown. But my biggest worry is that the next wave of people on the street will be under the green banner of the Islamists."
MOHAMMAD KHALIL/AP
Pakistani police officers arrest a protester in Karachi yesterday. A general strike paralyzed the city as discontent grew over President Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s ouster of the chief justice and a weekend of violence that left dozens of people dead. Email story
Choose text size
Report typo or correction
Email the author
License this article
Tag and save
May 15, 2007 04:30 AM
Olivia Ward
FOREIGN AFFAIRS WRITER
In the sticky heat of a New York September, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was cool and relaxed as he fielded polite questions from international journalists at the launch of his best-selling autobiography.
The question of his resignation from the office that he seized in a 1999 bloodless military coup was not on the table. And he explained that as a reformer, he would do what was best for the country.
Eight months later, Musharraf is feeling the heat from all directions, and the country is rising against him.
Pakistan's major cities are paralyzed by political strikes and rocked by violence that has killed dozens – the latest, a Supreme Court registrar. Now, an increasing number of Pakistanis and foreign observers are thinking what was recently unthinkable: Is it time for Musharraf to go?
"In the last few days a feeling of tragedy is growing among Pakistanis," says Hassan Abbas, a research fellow of Harvard University's Belfer Center, and former Pakistani security official. "People who believed in the rule of law saw all their desires and dreams crushed by the violence of the last two days."
He added, "there is not just dislike of Musharraf, but hatred."
His fall would remove the regional linchpin for the West's fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Musharraf has been a key ally of George W. Bush since the U.S. president moved to oust neighbouring Afghanistan's Taliban government in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
For years, Musharraf has been the Houdini of political brinksmanship, dodging bombs and opposition salvos with uncanny aplomb. But now even his key supporters, the Pakistani military, are wavering.
A confrontation with Pakistan's top judge, Iftikhar Chaudhry – whom Musharraf accused of misusing his office and suspended – has sparked an explosion of protest from supporters as well as opponents.
Musharraf's political foes called the judge's suspension an attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary, and to rid the leader of obstacles to remaining in office as head of both the country and the army as a September presidential election approaches.
"(It) boils down to one simple fact," leading Pakistani journalist and author Ahmed Rashid wrote in The Washington Post. "He was not considered sufficiently reliable to deliver pleasing legal judgments in a year when Musharraf is seeking to extend his presidency for five more years, remain as army chief and hold what would undoubtedly be rigged general elections."
Musharraf accused Chaudhry of using his influence to obtain a police job for his son. But many in Pakistan disregarded the charge and united behind the judge, who became the most celebrated figure in the country.
Peaceful protests drew huge crowds in major cities, and a week ago a rally featuring Chaudhry in the Punjabi capital of Lahore alarmed Musharraf's supporters, who worried that the country's economic powerhouse, Karachi, could be next.
To block the Karachi rally the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), allies of Musharraf, held a rival event and confronted demonstrators on their way to greet Chaudhry, bringing anarchy and violence to the streets. The local security services were absent until more than 30 people were dead.
"That's what tipped the balance," says Toronto-based analyst Kamran Bokhari, an expert in the region who met with Musharraf last winter. "Goons were allowed to open fire, point blank, at opposition workers. It's taken a major psychological toll on the country."
Yesterday, Syed Hammad Raza, an official of Pakistan's Supreme Court and ally of Chaudhry, was also shot and killed at close range in his home, but no suspects have been arrested.
"The MQM were known for their underworld style behaviour," said Bokhari, a senior analyst for U.S.-based Strategic Forecasting Inc. "All over the country people were able to watch the violence on television and it horrified them. They have had enough."
The bloodshed, which Musharraf condemned but failed to halt, has ended the president's chances of re-election, Bokhari said. Above all his political survival is in doubt because his biggest backer, the military, is "ready to give him the boot."
"Pakistan's military is like a corporation. If the board of directors sees that the CEO is putting his interests above everybody else's, they get ready to negotiate a retirement package," he said.
In the wake of the violence, many of Musharraf's political allies are also backing off. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Party, withdrew his support, and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's popular Pakistan People's Party is expected to follow. The country's rival intelligence services are turning their backs on Musharraf.
The violence has also embarrassed Washington, which supplies Pakistan with money and financial support to join in the "war on terror."
"Anger in the U.S. Congress and media, particularly among members of the Republican party, toward Musharraf's dual-track policy in Afghanistan – helping to catch Al Qaeda but backing the Taliban – is making it difficult for President Bush to continue offering his blanket support," says Rashid.
To Abbas, a former official in Musharraf's government, the president is leading on borrowed time.
"He is living in a fool's paradise, surrounded by people who tell him what he wants to hear. He could try to muzzle the progressive democratic forces through a military clampdown. But my biggest worry is that the next wave of people on the street will be under the green banner of the Islamists."
- Grant
- SomaliNet Super
- Posts: 5845
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 1:43 pm
- Location: Wherever you go, there you are.
Re: Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
I am guessing the abolition of the Hudood laws in December has something do do with this.
When you sit on a fence, expect barbed wire and post tops for company.
When you sit on a fence, expect barbed wire and post tops for company.
- +chilli
- SomaliNet Heavyweight
- Posts: 2591
- Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Somalia-"We cannot allow former lunatics to take over the asylum"
Re: Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
No Grant that was a good step, this man has expired and his getting ridiculous
- Babygal
- SomaliNet Heavyweight
- Posts: 3566
- Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2003 7:00 pm
- Location: Aapsao Alaga dUr for sure...
Re: Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
sare jahan se accha hindostan or accha pakistan hamara
ham bulbulain hai is ki, yeh gulsitan hamara
ghurbat men hon agar ham, rahta hai dil vatan men
samjho vah?n hamen bh?, dil hain jah?n ham?r?
parbat voh sab se uncha, hamsaya asman ka
voh santari hamara, voh pasban hamara.
ham bulbulain hai is ki, yeh gulsitan hamara
ghurbat men hon agar ham, rahta hai dil vatan men
samjho vah?n hamen bh?, dil hain jah?n ham?r?
parbat voh sab se uncha, hamsaya asman ka
voh santari hamara, voh pasban hamara.

Last edited by Babygal on Tue May 15, 2007 10:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
- +chilli
- SomaliNet Heavyweight
- Posts: 2591
- Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Somalia-"We cannot allow former lunatics to take over the asylum"
Re: Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
makaan?ah ham? anhdb?see kalalo?aj^^
Re: Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
[quote="Grant"]I am guessing the abolition of the Hudood laws in December has something do do with this. [/quote]
Nothing to do with that.The guy was becoming more of a dictator lately. The judge suspension and putting a Hindu as the chief judge of your country has to be one of the most political blunders ever.
The Hindu had to swear in the name of Allah. Can you imagine a hindu swearing in the name of allah?

Nothing to do with that.The guy was becoming more of a dictator lately. The judge suspension and putting a Hindu as the chief judge of your country has to be one of the most political blunders ever.
The Hindu had to swear in the name of Allah. Can you imagine a hindu swearing in the name of allah?



- +chilli
- SomaliNet Heavyweight
- Posts: 2591
- Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Somalia-"We cannot allow former lunatics to take over the asylum"
Re: Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
There is Hindu in his place? Lol that was really stupid move, did he have a memory loss?
- Grant
- SomaliNet Super
- Posts: 5845
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 1:43 pm
- Location: Wherever you go, there you are.
Re: Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
"The judge suspension and putting a Hindu as the chief judge of your country has to be one of the most political blunders ever."
Didn't hear about it.

Didn't hear about it.



Re: Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/27207.html
“shall not be qualified for election as president unless he is a Muslim.”
Grant you know Pakistan was created for Muslims and to have him do something like this is just asking for it.
“shall not be qualified for election as president unless he is a Muslim.”
Grant you know Pakistan was created for Muslims and to have him do something like this is just asking for it.
- Babygal
- SomaliNet Heavyweight
- Posts: 3566
- Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2003 7:00 pm
- Location: Aapsao Alaga dUr for sure...
Re: Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
[quote="+chilli"]makaan?ah ham? anhdb?see kalalo?aj^^[/quote]
tum hame.n ?
--tuu bhii kya chilli? 
tum hame.n ?


- AbdiWahab252
- SomaliNet Super
- Posts: 56715
- Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2003 7:00 pm
- Location: Unity. Strength. Capital.
Re: Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?
MUSHARAFF ZINDABAAD !!!
PAKISTAN ZINDABAAD !!!!
PAKISTAN ZINDABAAD !!!!
- Babygal
- SomaliNet Heavyweight
- Posts: 3566
- Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2003 7:00 pm
- Location: Aapsao Alaga dUr for sure...
Re: Islamist's Poised To Take Over Pakistan ?



hindustan zindabad...hail bitch..
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 3 Replies
- 828 Views
-
Last post by COOL-MAN
-
- 18 Replies
- 1448 Views
-
Last post by outlaw112
-
- 1 Replies
- 300 Views
-
Last post by LionHeart-112
-
- 3 Replies
- 415 Views
-
Last post by gedo_gurl
-
- 19 Replies
- 1169 Views
-
Last post by *jr
-
- 0 Replies
- 348 Views
-
Last post by KingBlack
-
- 0 Replies
- 290 Views
-
Last post by MenaceToSociety
-
- 38 Replies
- 2878 Views
-
Last post by sahal80
-
- 3 Replies
- 1346 Views
-
Last post by original dervish
-
- 19 Replies
- 1248 Views
-
Last post by sconosciuto