Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Musharraf’s exit

As rightly pointed out in the editorial “Musharraf must go” (Aug. 8), Pervez Musharraf did nothing much to improve governance in Pakistan since he assumed power through a military coup. In fact, under him, chaos and mayhem increased. He trusted the army and weapons, not democracy. He vehemently resisted all calls to step down and was determined to stay on for another term. His impeachment is inevitable.

Ko. Shafee Ahmed,

Chennai

Although Gen. Musharraf usurped power through a military coup eight years ago, it must be said to his credit that he controlled the state administration and did not allow anarchy to prevail. He heeded the international opinion that Pakistan should be put back on the democratic path. He gave up his uniform and conducted elections and restored civilian rule. He should quit as President gracefully.

E. Sivasankaran,

Coimbatore

As army general, Pervez Musharraf was responsible for the Kargil War which he engineered to disturb the India-Pakistan peace process. He toppled the democratically elected government of Nawaz Sharif. He used the ISI as a weapon to settle scores. He created judicial hurdles for Benazir Bhutto and Mr. Sharif to prevent them from entering Pakistan. He tried his best to have friendly relations with the Taliban and later the Bush administration. He discouraged all efforts to restore democracy. He undermined the judiciary. It was only because of strong international pressure, especially from the U.S., that he allowed his political opponents to return to Pakistan and conducted elections. With all his glory gone, he is facing the humiliating prospect of impeachment.

D. Kishan Prasad Rao,

Karimnagar

The decision by the PPP-led coalition to impeach President Musharraf may turn out to be a death blow to the fragile democracy in Pakistan. As President, he has the power to dissolve Parliament and declare martial law.

It would be better for the government to avoid confrontation with President Musharraf as he may use the constitutional provisions to save his skin. It is necessary to scrap such provisions first. For this, a Constituent Assembly should be elected and the Constitution redrafted on democratic lines. At the same time, healthy norms should be evolved in Pakistan to keep its democracy going.

K. Saibaba,

Hyderabad

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