Date:13/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/13/stories/2007111352180802.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Pakistan politics

The imposition of Emergency in Pakistan has rightly invoked the outrage of all right-thinking people. But there are two sides to a coin. Religious extremists, including the Taliban, have been targeting Pervez Musharraf for some time now because he demonstrated the resolve to take them on. Pakistan’s priorities are containment of religious extremism and terrorism. The army’s role is vital in achieving this stupendous task.

Can a popularly elected government contain terrorism? For all his pitfalls, Gen. Musharraf symbolises a strong persona, with the ability to take the bull by its horns. Benazir Bhutto is a weak alternative.

R. Ramakrishnan,

New Jersey

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India’s response to the Emergency in Pakistan is inadequate. Do our leaders like Republicans under George Bush think that Gen. Musharraf is the best man to deal with terrorism?

Let us bear in mind that a person who masterminded the Kargil war without his Prime Minister’s approval and grabbed power from an elected government can never be trusted.

Capt. T. Raju (retd.),

Secunderabad