tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12219873.post113708686939459807..comments2024-03-26T03:03:42.414-07:00Comments on The Glasshouse: The US Finally Fed Up With Musharraf?A Different Drumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350929185765118924noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12219873.post-4550189536124690392011-11-24T10:37:42.379-08:002011-11-24T10:37:42.379-08:00Many thanks for the exciting blog posting! I reall...Many thanks for the exciting blog posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you are a brilliant writer. I actually added your blog to my favorites and will look forward for more updates. Great Job, Keep it up.. :)hcghttp://www.cheaphcgdiet.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12219873.post-1137377609248497462006-01-15T18:13:00.000-08:002006-01-15T18:13:00.000-08:00A few weeks ago Onlooker succinctly summarized the...A few weeks ago Onlooker succinctly summarized the way forward when he wrote that the long term solution for Pakistan's ills is education. This requires diverting resources currently being squandered on military spending (which is not the same thing as national defense). <BR/><BR/>The experience of other countries shows that building of civil institutions is a good first step in reorienting national priorities for a paretorian state. In that sense, emergence of a national consensus on the military's withdrawal from politics is absolutely essential. The next civilian government will most likely be headed by someone with a flawed reputation but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Again, the experience of other countries (Some Latin American states come to mind) tells us that politicians known for huge mistakes in the past can learn from these mistakes and perform better once they govern in a changed instituional framework.<BR/><BR/>Pakistan's intelligentsia (including me) must get over its preoccupation with personalities and work on strengthening institutions: Judiciary, political parties, the media, academia and the civil service. We need only look across Pakistan's eastern border to recognize that even flawed and uncharismatic politicians, with roots among the masses, can deliver institutions of democracy. Over time, the institutions can deal with problems of corruption and incompetence of individual leaders.<BR/><BR/>The key for the civilians' success would be their willingness to submit themselves to the rule of law. The "winner takes all" mentality of the past, coupled with behind-the-scenes machinations of the Praetorians, has so far been the greatest obstacle to Pakistan's political evolution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12219873.post-1137263452657509362006-01-14T10:30:00.000-08:002006-01-14T10:30:00.000-08:00I can't speak for Mr Haqqani but in my view until ...I can't speak for Mr Haqqani but in my view until and unless the Establishment (aka the Army Generals) allow a reduction in defence spending - so that funds can be properly utilised in developing the country, especially in the field of education - nothing can be achieved.<BR/><BR/>In the past no civilian government was ever allowed to question defence spending. Under Musharraf obviously the same holds true.<BR/><BR/>Proper education of the young is the only true investment a country can make to safeguard its future.<BR/><BR/>And by the by, criticising Baloch Sardars and suchlike appears to be an historical subterfuge on part of Islamabad. Musharraf has already admitted on several occasions that 75 of 78 sardars in Balochistan have always been in the Establishment's pocket. <BR/><BR/>So where is the development in the areas of these 75 sardars? The reality is that these stooges have been pocketing most of the funds in return for professing their loyalty to Islamabad. <BR/><BR/>So who is really to blame?A Different Drumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350929185765118924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12219873.post-1137245023380366822006-01-14T05:23:00.000-08:002006-01-14T05:23:00.000-08:00Well, Syed, it seems to me that our political cult...Well, Syed, it seems to me that our political culture is very stratified. Do u guys think losing the Establishment would be benefical for Pakistan?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12219873.post-1137228058610085442006-01-14T00:40:00.000-08:002006-01-14T00:40:00.000-08:00Dear Onlooker,Unfortunately our entire problem is ...Dear Onlooker,<BR/>Unfortunately our entire problem is not the Army fed by Pakistan, but masses of this country are also responsible. I meet many people who support Mush, Baboo, Bibi or politician on-line, but only a few realize the importance of a system and discipline. <BR/>An Urdu journalist (Hassan Nisar) very rightly described us in one of his columns as 'Be Sha-oor Awaam, Beghairat Hukamraan'.<BR/>None of us likes to follow any discipline in our personal or public behaviors. And the army is the worst example. This is an endorsement of your last post. Those Damned 'Miscreants'<BR/><BR/>I would request you and other learned persons like Mr. Haqqani to come forward and guide us a way out, not only in letter but also in spirit. And please do not impress us by the ability of switching sides for the petty benefits.(Last lines are for the consideration of Mr. Haqqani)<BR/><BR/>SyedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12219873.post-1137210269965476892006-01-13T19:44:00.000-08:002006-01-13T19:44:00.000-08:00Personally I am not sure if the US has a clue what...Personally I am not sure if the US has a clue what next to do. If and when Musharraf goes he will most likely be succeeded with yet another General, who will naturally promise us all the moon. <BR/><BR/>And the new Khaki chappie - just to win international kudos - might even bring Benazir back as PM but will probably then insist on keeping her on a tight leash.<BR/><BR/>Right now the generals have too much vested interest - social, economic and political - to hand over power to someone else. <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately it takes something catastrophic (like events of 1971) to make them withdraw from centre stage.A Different Drumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350929185765118924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12219873.post-1137185021356101672006-01-13T12:43:00.000-08:002006-01-13T12:43:00.000-08:00Liberal forces....that means Benazir?Do you think ...Liberal forces....that means Benazir?<BR/><BR/>Do you think that would be agood thing, even marginally for Pakistan?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com