This is an interview on USA Today with Mahmud Ali Durrani, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States.
The whole interview can be found at the link below. But I mostly wanted to know the views of you all to this question below in bold. Some other interesting points are also pasted here.
Q: Is democracy dead in Pakistan? President Musharraf has promised to relinquish his role as general. Will he?
**A: He will take off his uniform at an appropriate stage. Democracy is not dead in Pakistan. Some democratic institutions have been improved. Musharraf has developed a system of basic democracies, a devolution plan. People have been empowered at that level to make their own decisions, including financial. Despite all the criticism, the press is more free than ever. There is a robust opposition in the Parliament. Our democracy has never been better. **
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/2007-05-22-oplede_N.htm?csp=34
In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pakistan became a crucial ally in the U.S. global war on terror, providing essential support in battling the Taliban in Afghanistan and targeting Islamic extremists in the region. In return, the United States has provided $10 billion in aid as well as expanded relations afforded to the closest allies. Nonetheless, Osama bin Laden — believed to be hiding along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border — is still at large while the Taliban has seen a resurgence. Pakistan has thousands of madrassas — Islamic schools that often teach extremist, anti-Western messages. And opinion polls show that many Pakistanis sympathize with terrorists such as bin Laden. The extremist strain is all the more troubling because Pakistan owns nuclear weapons, has a vulnerable government and a history of letting its nuclear secrets fall into the wrong hands. The instability has been on display in the past few weeks, as suicide attacks and violent protests followed the controversial firing of the country’s top judge. Mahmud Ali Durrani, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, discussed these and other issues with USA TODAY’s editorial board. His comments were edited for length and clarity.
Q: Pakistan and India are very similar countries, but India is powering ahead economically. Do you see a similar future possible for Pakistan?
A: Is India modern in a way? Yes. Even in Pakistan, they make these comparisons. They say India is a role model in many ways. In democracy, it’s a role model. In economic development, it is a role model. As a secular state, it has fallen off and is not a role model. But we hope that some day Pakistan will beat them in both of these things.
Q: What is Khan’s status?
A: He is under house arrest.
Q: Literally?
A: Oh, absolutely, totally, completely. He can’t run around. There’s no way. We do keep getting some information from here and there, and we’ve shared almost every bit of information (with the United States).
Q: Has there been a U.S. interrogation of Khan?
A: No direct, no direct (interrogation) because (Khan) is unfortunately a national hero. Otherwise, we would have strung him from the tallest tree.
Q: What has been the effect of nuclear weapons on India and Pakistan relations broadly?
A: Very fundamental. There is almost zero possibility for war between Pakistan and India. No. 2, the major overtures toward peace between Pakistan and India are because of nuclear weapons. Leadership in both countries has realized that if we go to war that is going to destroy us.
…these kinda threads will only lead to one thing:D