Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Situation in Pakistan

The article ‘Pakistan: having a tiger by the tail’ (Nov. 6) sums up the situation in our neighbourhood brilliantly. The solution given at the end is appropriate and it will be in the fitness of things if our leadership, such as it is, starts preparing the nation for it. One would dearly like to have the author’s views on the likely impact of the Emergency in Pakistan on India.

N. Khosla,

Panchkula

Pakistan is crumbling under the present crisis. As said in the article, “an unstable, volatile, radicalised, and nuclear-armed Pakistan is in no one’s interest.” It is a threat to the neighbouring states. General Pervez Musharraf’s only concern is the concentration of all powers in his hands and not the welfare of the people of Pakistan.

V.K. Sathyavan Nair,

Kottayam

It can be safely said that General Musharraf’s attempts to cling to power will shortly boomerang on him with the international community also denouncing the proclamation of Emergency in Pakistan. As the people want democracy, the General could, before long, find himself dethroned and tried for the excesses.

N.K. Vijayan,

Kizhakkambalam

The situation in Pakistan is grave but the people now seem to be determined to fight for their democratic rights than ever before thanks to the example of the ever-strengthening secular democracy of our country. Pakistan’s troubles are due to the country not adopting the secular democratic path and remaining predominantly under the feudal lords, drawing on military and theocratic support.

Kasim Sait,

Chennai

Let General Musharraf be reminded that human rights, individual freedom, and democratic traditions have withstood far more vicious assaults and survived. He is well on his way to courting disaster.

T.S. Pattabhi Raman,

Coimbatore

This refers to the editorial, ‘Darkness in Pakistan’ (Nov. 5). There is no denying that President Musharraf’s ambitions are limitless. More than that, it is a deep-rooted fear and the insecurity that stems from it that are being manifested in his behaviour. The General has showed that he is in the same league as his predecessor, Zia-ul-Haq. How else can one explain the detention of activists and the mediapersons?

Vani Venkat,

Lucknow

There is tremendous pressure on General Musharraf to lift the Emergency at the earliest and install a civilian government. But the President’s action has to be seen against the backdrop of the grim situation prevailing in the country. Did General Musharraf have a choice?

Mumtaz Ali Khan,

Bangalore

With the powerful army backing General Musharraf to the hilt, what can the judiciary, the executive or the political parties do to unseat him? Pakistanis have by now become used to Generals coming and Generals going while they cope with the hardships imposed upon them by the ruling elite.

Col. Ram Gulrajani (retd.),

Chennai

It is imperative that the military regime is thrown out. But much will depend on the judiciary, the citizens of Pakistan, and the media coming together to show their solidarity in ensuring a smooth transition to democracy. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is right in saying that all assistance to Pakistan will be reviewed. Other countries should also consider reviewing their relationship with Pakistan if the President fails to restore civilian rule.

J. Dorai Raj,

Chennai

B. Suresh Kumar,

Coimbatore

The situation in Pakistan, combined with the renewed violence in Sri Lanka, is of serious concern to us. This could even lead to the undesirable scenario of foreign forces descending on the subcontinent.

Thejus Joseph Jose,

Kottayam

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