Don’t Hang Sarabjeet

Devil's Advocate HP #61:

1. On What Zardari promised: he never mentioned any package deal in Bhurban. There is no question he made a promise he did not plan to keep.

2. On military/US/EU pressures: This is a poor excuse. The tremendous people's mandate PPP received gives it the legitimacy it needs. If it refuses to exercise it, then it has done nothing less than betray the trust of the people when they voted for it. In stalling on the judges issue (when it could and should have restored them at the same time they were freed) the PPP leadership has lost credibility - the same way ZAB lost credibility when he similarly betrayed the false hopes he created.

3. On provincial issues: Contrary to what you think, the judges issue is one that affects every single pakistan - since it goes at the heart of whether Pakistan will be ruled by law or by strongmen (waderas, ghondas, or military generals). As a practical matter, if waderas and mqm ghoondas are too strongly entrenched in Sindh (as per the Zardari-altaf friendship), if mullahs and tribal rulers are too strongly entrenched in NWFP and Baluchistan, then that is no reason for the panjab to step back on this issue.

Finally, you write: "Now they need to figure out how to keep pressure on the PPP and the Parliament to restore the judges and bring Musharaf down thru the Supreme Court." Agreed. And that is why Nawaz Sharif and PML are now the standard bearers alongside the lawyers on what is nothing less than the Freedom Struggle for Pakistanis.

#62 zeemax: "They talk in the language of bullets and bombs."

however: the pen is mightier than the sword. the mullah may have the guns, but the civil society of Pakistan has God on its side. but dont let that stop you from dreaming of mullahs taking over pakistan.

HP,Zeemax, and Tahmed32
We need to separate the extinguishing aspirations of the lame duck dick traitor from the genuine concerns of the Urdu-speaking citizens of Pakistan. It is obvious that MQM and its absentee strongman in London do not represent the legitimate interests of Karachi or Pakistan.

The people of Pakistan voted overwhelmingly, despite all forms of rigging and pressure by Mushy, for the restoration of true democracy. Urdu speaking people, above all else, are Muslims and Pakistanis first. Any attempt by MQM or Mushy to hijack their interests will backfire.

While Asif Ali Zardari has demonstrated superior statesmanship and diplomacy, he should not squander the goodwill and trust that the people of Pakistan have bestowed up his party and coalition. The very fact that Mushy is President is an insult to democracy, the rule of law, and the image of Pakistan. The dick traitor used a lame duck Parliament to manufacture an outcome that would never have occurred in an honest vote. He had already manipulated the judiciary to cause a favorable outcome for himself. Even the most stupid person can recognize the shenanigans of this buffoon who has stayed on the stage far too long for any audience not to vomit.

The justices must be restored, including the reinstatement of the CJ and then Mushy must be removed, tried, and hanged for his usurpation of power and betrayal of Pakistan. I supported Mushy when I thought he was the least of all evils for Pakistan. I detest Mushy when he is the most obvious evil confronting Pakistan. I supported the MQM when it was struggling for the rights of Karachiites. I am now against the MQM for its support of Mushy and its role as spoiler in the redemocratization of the nation.

#67 *upon his party and not up his party

Re: # 67 salim sahib
You have questioned the questionable intellect of the pakistani populace by elevating the status of Zardari to that of a statesman.Even Machavely would be throwing up in his grave by the induction of Zardari in the hall of statesmen.

treetop #69 {"salim sahib
You have questioned the questionable intellect of the pakistani populace by elevating the status of Zardari to that of a statesman"}

Mr.Top Branch,
I defer to the Theory of Relativity which states that all qualities and vices are relative. In Paki politics, Zardari appears as a statesman. Heck, if Mushy can be President, Zardari can be Mother Teresa.

BTW, Mr. Branch, I do like your style - guerilla warfare at its best. Good luck to you, sir.

Oh Yes! Forgot about the main topic.

Yes, hang the terrorist bastard.

Zeemax, Tahmed,

I watched Zardari interview and I understand what he is saying.
I don't think it really matter whether the judges are restored in 30 or the 60 days.

What surprises me is that the lawyers, who get paid for negotiations and arguing their cases, never asked to see Zardari or the PM or even Nawaz at one place to present the CJ case or to help remove his doubts abt the judiciary.

It is one thing to fight an army general but using the same tactics against the civilians that are willing to talk or negotiate, is not entirely a good way to resolve the issues.

I don't know whether you actually watched the interview or not and I see in the papers that no one reported the most important thing that he said in the interview. He said it quickly but he may be right that there are some elements from the establishment that are trying to create a rift between the PPP, MLn, and the lawyers.

He clearly said what the hurdles are and it is important for him to approach the lawyers to resolve the issue.

I think in the long run lawyers taking the streets would be good. They can really intensify the conflict and might be able to bring out other sections of the population on the streets. A little anarchy may actually be helpful.

#932 Posted by tahir Re: # 918 (carried over):

"Gen Yhaya’s friend was Gen. Rani. She is the grandmother Adnan Sami"

... and the mother (Rani's daughter) is Uroosa Alam, the great English language journalist, and second (occasional?) wife of the Indian Punjab's Chief Minister. Can you believe how far the reach of kanjarpana is?

#72 Posted by HP,

HP, seriously I think Zardari has become a mad megalomaniac very fast. He expressed his contempt for Judiciary, Lawyers, Army, ALL political parties except his own whom he believes he has successfully manipulated and they're all dependent on him and him alone and he on no one, and seems to believe fate has put him in an all-powerful position where he can get back at everyone for jailing him. Politics of revenge. Same thing as his wife, with the only difference that Benazir was taking revenge of her father, and Zardari believes he will take revenge for his wife' murder and his own imprisonment.

... I watched the interview live.

Zee sahib,

You have to give credit to the Punjoos where they deserve it. They know how to live life.

Regards

#76 Posted by majumdar,

You bet they do. The lady in question is a hot number, still!

Zee sahib,

Btw Ms. Alam's first hubby is a FORMER CM of Punjab, not the current incumbent. The said gentleman is the current Maharaja of Patiala and his ancestors (particularly one Maharja Bhupinder Singh) were much famed for their rangeela characters.

Regards

#78 Posted by majumdar,

Yes of-course. Thanks for the correction :)

i had assumed zardari was a feudal buffoon but i heard this interview with him on bbc world service yesterday and, like him or loathe him, the man is extremely eloquent and has a certain charm. His arrogance was breathtaking: his public attempt at charming Jemima Khan's panties off was incredible for its audacity and speaks of a man used to getting his own way. Listen to it here: (Interview by Owen Bennet Jones):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/the_interview.shtml