Date:06/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/06/stories/2007100653801201.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Pakistan affairs

In the backdrop of the bitter power struggle in Pakistan, the deal between Pervez Musharraf and PPP leader Benazir Bhutto has finally come through in the form of a national reconciliation ordinance. It is unfortunate that Ms. Bhutto chose to compromise on her struggle for democracy by reneging on the Charter of Democracy she signed with Nawaz Sharif. Obviously, she is using her position to extract maximum benefits from a President who is leaving no stone unturned to maintain the status quo in the country. Through the alliance of convenience, Pakistan’s long-term interests are being overlooked for short-term gains.

Nalini Vijayaraghavan,

Thiruvananthapuram

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Had Ms. Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif together taken on Gen. Musharraf, things might have been different. But Ms. Bhutto sought to be the sole beneficiary of the situation. Pakistanis have yet again missed a train to democracy.

Hema Langeri,

Hoshiarpur

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This refers to the editorial “Judiciary lets Pakistan down” (Oct. 1). Given that military rule is the order of the day in Pakistan, an adverse ruling against the military regime would have gone unheeded end unimplemented. The judges perhaps thought discretion was the better part of valour.

Tony Abraham,

Thiruvananthapuram

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In view of Pakistan’s history of military supremacy, the Supreme Court’s ruling is an important step towards establishing democracy in the country. A verdict declaring Gen. Musharraf ineligible to contest the presidential election while remaining army chief would have led to another spell under the military regime.

We cannot expect a judiciary that has been functioning under military regimes for decades to take a sudden bold step. The debate on the issue of fair elections and democracy in Pakistan is in itself a good sign.

Jeetendra Singh,

New Delhi