Text of Speech by Gen. Pervez Musharraf ref: bahmad #22

Bilal, I wholeheartedly agree. If the United Kingdom loves democracy so much, let it install a Pakistani-style democracy in UK. We Pakistanis got sick of our brand of democracy and hence got rid of it. Who are they to tell us that a democracy is an infinitely better than any other form of government? We experimented with it, it failed. Now let us figure out for ourselves how NOT to repeat the same mistakes again. A timetable for return of civilian government? What for? So Mr. Sharif and/or Ms. Bhutto can plunder the national wealth again? We have more important issues before us than to decide WHO we should give the opportunity to, to loot us for the next five years. Let us purge our society of these blood sucking elements, and then we`ll chose our own leaders from whoever survives the test of accountability.

I was only a kid when Gen. Zia took over, so I have no idea what the public sentiment was like when Mr. Bhutto was overthrown. This coup however could not have come at a better time. I sense sincerity and patriotism in Gen. Musharraf words. Did Zia make similar speeches and promises? Was the public as upbeat and opmistic as it is now at Bhutto`s overthrow? Let`s hope Musharraf stands by his words and delivers for us. Let`s give him a fair chance. He can`t be worse than the last 11 years of civilian rule! And if he betrays the nation, he knows what awaits him.

Another Hope Killed I think we should start contacting the officials on the phone. If we make enough calls, they`ll be too rattled to ignore this case. And I am sure some of us would have connections in the government, why not use them to pressurise the officials conerned into taking some action? Let them know we`ve had enough of this lawlessness and voilence, and we won`t be ignored.

Match Report on First Test Match at Chennai OK, India 238/6. Tendulkar`s still in. It`s all over for Pakistan. Btw, the url for Audio commentary was www.radio.gov.pk

Let`s see if Pakistan can level the series in the next game. Saad, you shouldn`t have doubted Tendu`s abilities. And I should`ve been following the match on IRC, ball-by-ball, praying for wickets instead of sleeping. :(

Match Report on First Test Match at Chennai India 257/9!! What a finish!! No matter who wins now, I can now safely say the honors are shared. :)) I might have spoken too early in my previous mail.

Match Report on First Test Match at Chennai YAHOOOOOO!!

Let me be the first one to say it: PAKISTAN WON!! By 13 runs! What a nail biter!!! Saqlain gets 5 wickets in second innings too.

Builders’ Mafia Way to go, the_Unforgiven! I think Shahbaz`s comments were deliberately intended to invoke anger among Muslims and discredit Islam, but you did a great job. It`s obvious Mr. Shahbaz is letting his prejudices guide his judgement. Chowk needs someone who can rationally defend Islam like you did. It`s sad to know if one curses another chowk reader, he`d be termed rude and ill-mannered yet Shahbaz is hurling insults at Islam and the Holy Prophet (SAW) and no one bats an eye.

Bookstore Lessons Nice piece of work, Bina! I am very disappointed at some of the replies from people who `apparently` didn`t understand what you were getting at. Had the article been about sex (as quite a few of them on Chowk are) or had it been about Islam-bashing, then most of these critics would probably have been heaping praise on the author for remarkable insight and brilliant penmanship.

Your article was refreshingly simple, it had a moral and it made the reader think. Keep it up.

Unnoticed Invisibility Umairr, Re #54

What you say makes a lot of sense. I wonder why Solitude hasn`t come across Muslims like you.

temporal, Re #55

This ranting and raving of Solitude reminds me of Shahbaz who used to express equally outrageous and insulting comments about Islam.

rajanjua, Re #53

Why don`t you post an article about SUKAYNA. I, for one, would like to read more about her. Call it my ignorance, but I had never heard of her before.