Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
On one hand Benazir says she wants Musharraf out of his uniform, while she is in bed with him at the same time..
Please, I pray to God that Musharraf does not find himself in that situation :D
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for “deal with Musharraf”
The original interview that BB gave to the London Times, that has thrown her party and other political parties into a frenzy.
**Defiant Bhutto plans **
THE former prime minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, is to make a defiant return from exile to lead her party’s election campaign and seek a controversial third term in office. Bhutto, 53, has vowed to go back despite the danger of assassination by Islamists whom she accuses of bringing “Taliban campaigns” to Islamabad, the capital. In an interview with The Sunday Times, she said she was not afraid: “I don’t worry about it. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go. I’m committed to contesting the elections.” Bhutto left Pakistan eight years ago for exile in London and Dubai after being dismissed as prime minister in 1996 amid allegations of corruption involving Asif Zardari, her husband, who went to prison and was released in 2004. It was the second time she had been ousted from the premiership and the couple have always maintained their innocence, dismissing the allegations as “politically motivated”. Last week Bhutto confirmed that her Pakistan People’s party (PPP) was in negotiations with supporters of General Pervez Musharraf, the country’s military ruler, to secure free elections for the national assembly and to reach an understanding on how the two leaders would work together if she won. **Bhutto is convinced that Musharraf, 63, will secure a second term as president by seeking reelection from the current parliament, where his supporters have a majority. She claimed it would be in Pakistan’s interest for them to reach an accord. **
She said Musharraf’s government seemed powerless in the face of Islamic militancy, allowing extremists in some madrasahs, or religious schools, to extend their influence. “We feel the lack of governance is leading to social problems and that the madrasahs are moving in to fill the gap,” she said. After the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which killed 73,000 people, the jihadis were providing relief before the government, Bhutto added: “The ruling party has failed to check the madrasahs. They’re forcing barbers to stop shaving beards. They’ve raided music shops and they’re bringing Taliban campaigns into Islamabad while the state watches. The government has got to take control.” Bhutto said the government could start by sacking the government-appointed cleric at Islamabad’s Lal mosque, who has threatened a suicide bombing campaign if Musharraf confronts radical students using Taliban tactics to close brothels and DVD shops. Last week ministers appeared to give in when they agreed to act against known brothels if the militants ended their protests.
One minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, has said that negotiations for a deal between Musharraf and Bhutto over her return are at the “semi-final” stage and will be revealed shortly. Another minister denied the claims. Bhutto, speaking from her home in Dubai, said she wanted a deal with the president but that it would be “premature” to say one was imminent. Her supporters are looking for “confidence building” measures to convince them that Musharraf is acting in good faith. Top of their list is a demand that corruption charges against her are dropped, along with a constitutional ban on anyone serving more than two terms as prime minister. According to Bhutto, who was the youngest person and the first woman to be leader of a Muslim state in modern times, Musharraf changed the constitution to prevent her or Nawaz Sharif, her erstwhile rival who was deposed by Musharraf in his 1999 coup, from returning to power. Bhutto, the Oxford-educated daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the former president who was hanged in 1979, is the PPP’s only candidate for prime minister and aides say Musharraf will be obliged to let her take the post if she triumphs at the polls. By far the most glamorous and charismatic star in Pakistan’s otherwise lacklustre political firmament, Bhutto is expected to galvanise the elections and ensure they come under intense international scrutiny. She accepts that her relationship with the president will be difficult. Bhutto insisted that Musharraf was guilty of blowing “hot and cold” towards the Taliban, whose influence has grown so strong in Waziristan, the area next to the Afghan border, that a treaty had been negotiated with them. “My party would not have allowed the Taliban to become such a huge force that they would need to sign a peace treaty,” she said. Bhutto, who has three children, praised Musharraf for his protection of minorities and for the Women’s Protection Bill, which aims to end the criminalisation of rape victims as adulterers. But he had not been a consistent champion of women’s rights, she claimed. His treatment of Mukhtaran Mai, who was gang-raped on the orders of village elders to punish her family for a crime allegedly committed by her brother, had damaged Pakistan’s image overseas. Bhutto alleged that Musharraf had banned Mai from travelling abroad to tell her story because he did not want her portraying the country in a negative light. In the new edition of her autobiography, she appeals to her supporters to stage a protective show of force at the airport when she makes her homecoming later this year. Bhutto is looking forward to the crowd.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
Hey man US has a two term limit on presidents, I see n reaosn of we cant have a two term limit on prime ministers :)
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
Hey man US has a two term limit on presidents, I see n reaosn of we cant have a two term limit on prime ministers :)
I doubt Benazir will be having a third time as PM of Pakistan, and I don't believe that any of the various stories of the "deal" that have been running for the last weeks have actually mentioned that possibility. For that to happen she would have to accept EVERYHTING that General Musharraf is at the moment i.e. a Uniformed and constitutionally powerful President, with her relegated to a figurehead role. I don't think her "pride" would let her accept that, and it would break her party apart. More likely the said "deal" (actually agreed late last year) will see her nominating another person as a PPP Prime Minister leading a coalition govt, or her party playing a big part in such a setup.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
As a nation we harbour too much resentment toward the past for good reasons. But this does not help our cause. We are stuck in condemning who is what and who did what, who is a crook and who is the bigger crook. Where nations debate ideologies, economic policies we as a nation are debating the same old issue again and again, corruption, political and fiinancial.
Its about time we moved forward, as a nation we need to tackle the real issues facing 160million Pakistanis. Which ideology suits Pakistan? what are the economic policies of these political parties? Do they have a plan for the future?
Then again that maybe too much to ask for, the cynic awakens and reminds me of the leadership poor quality, history of corruption, wheeling and dealing that decides elections rather than the real issues.
Maybe its a pipedream right now, but is it a sin to dream for that nirvana? Maybe we can have a small begining here, just maybe......
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
Hey man US has a two term limit on presidents, I see n reaosn of we cant have a two term limit on prime ministers :)
Also why not have a two term limit on presidents as well. Oops forgot that only applies to elected presidents.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
sure man, have a two term limit on presidents.
have a complete ban on anyone charged with corruption, from taking part in elections.
I am all for it.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
what are the economic policies of these political parties? Do they have a plan for the future?
economic policies? plan for future?
you may be thinking of real political parties
what we have are just elite clubs who want to maintain a strangehold on power.
go ahead, ask a single political party in the country that wants to get in power what their policies and plans are, and you will get a bunch of excuses.
even the one party in the country I actually like, Imran's Tehrik e insaaf has barely put together anything.
ask about stuff like where will they put hospitals and schools how many, what is teh funding source for that, skilled resouce availability for such plans.
ask about what their poverty alleviation plans are, how would the actually deliver on their claims.
anyone can talk the talk, this is bad that is bad, sure, but how will you change it? show a 5 year plan..detailed, the what, when, where, how etc, and then see these people give excuses.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
There is already a two term limit for Presidents of Pakistan, so no issue there.
Musharraf received a vote as President by the electoral college (NA, Senate & 4 PA's) on Jan 1 2004, which the PPP views as the start of his constitutional term, and ending on Dec 31 2008. Going by all the talk of deals BB and her party will elect Musharraf for another term after that.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
sure man, have a two term limit on presidents.
have a complete ban on anyone charged with corruption, from taking part in elections.
I am all for it.
How do you define corruption? Cases filed by Govts against their political opponents? Military commanders who indulge in land grabbing, all official? Mullas who grab land in the name of religion? Political leaders who dish out Govt land to their favorites, all very legal by the way? Feudals who deprive their peasents any rights and run private jails? Jihadis who run gun and drug racketeering? Parties involves in extortion? Religious fanatics kidnapping children converting them into murderers? Officials misusing their authroity?
Where does the list start and finish?
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
How do you define corruption? Cases filed by Govts against their political opponents? Military commanders who indulge in land grabbing, all official? Mullas who grab land in the name of religion? Political leaders who dish out Govt land to their favorites, all very legal by the way? Feudals who deprive their peasents any rights and run private jails? Jihadis who run gun and drug racketeering? Parties involves in extortion? Religious fanatics kidnapping children converting them into murderers? Officials misusing their authroity?
Where does the list start and finish?
all of it, all of it
we cant pick and choose. we can not play favourites, which is sadly the case with our nation. we just trade one ill for another, support that and then hve buyers remorse and then go for another. I agree with Imran Khan 100% when he says the root causes need to be sorted in the country. I just wish he stopped being so reactive as he has become and focus on the positive approach he had earlier and bring together the right people to have a serious discussion on it and to offer the nation a real choice.
but we have to deal with all of it..
make a start somewhere. pick some major ones
and for that an indpendent and clean judiciary is needed. which we dont have either. it is niether independent, nor clean.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
economic policies? plan for future? you may be thinking of real political parties what we have are just elite clubs who want to maintain a strangehold on power.
go ahead, ask a single political party in the country that wants to get in power what their policies and plans are, and you will get a bunch of excuses.
even the one party in the country I actually like, Imran's Tehrik e insaaf has barely put together anything.
ask about stuff like where will they put hospitals and schools how many, what is teh funding source for that, skilled resouce availability for such plans.
ask about what their poverty alleviation plans are, how would the actually deliver on their claims.
anyone can talk the talk, this is bad that is bad, sure, but how will you change it? show a 5 year plan..detailed, the what, when, where, how etc, and then see these people give excuses.
Totally agree with you, in the current scenario we cannot expect anything from these political parties.
What to do? Keep on beating the same old drum? Has not delivered in the past and will not change anything in the future.
Maybe Iam being idealistic, but as a nation we need to ask these questions ourselves, we need to take some responsibility, demonstrate our willingness and need to seek answers to questions that matter. Seek accountability on real issues, force these political parties to demonstrate real democratic ideals, answerable to their voters thru results.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
all of it, all of it
we cant pick and choose. we can not play favourites, which is sadly the case with our nation. we just trade one ill for another, support that and then hve buyers remorse and then go for another. I agree with Imran Khan 100% when he says the root causes need to be sorted in the country. I just wish he stopped being so reactive as he has become and focus on the positive approach he had earlier and bring together the right people to have a serious discussion on it and to offer the nation a real choice.
but we have to deal with all of it..
make a start somewhere. pick some major ones
and for that an indpendent and clean judiciary is needed. which we dont have either. it is niether independent, nor clean.
All very good points, but are they realistic? Again, Iam being the cynic here, doesnt in any way mean we sud absolve the corrupt. Judiciary, politicians, business men, industrialists, army personnel, mullas, cricketers they all belong to the same pool, are we not expecting too much too soon? Corruption is deeply imbedded in our society and will require a herculian effort to eradicate.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
I dont know man, I just think we need to have a systems of checks and balances that simply does not exist.
All corruption and power games are not going to go away, we hear about all kinds of stuff about lobbyists and teir tie ins to congressmen and all in US, or politically motivated decsions by attoenry general etc.
but there has to be a start somewhere, we have to hold all our leaders accountable, and not see our country politics as WWE wrestling.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
I dont know man, I just think we need to have a systems of checks and balances that simply does not exist.
All corruption and power games are not going to go away, we hear about all kinds of stuff about lobbyists and teir tie ins to congressmen and all in US, or politically motivated decsions by attoenry general etc.
but there has to be a start somewhere, we have to hold all our leaders accountable, and not see our country politics as WWE wrestling.
Those guys have some principles as professionals, lets not drag their good name with these dirty politicians.
All good thoughts and wish u all the best.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
There is already a two term limit for Presidents of Pakistan, so no issue there.
Musharraf received a vote as President by the electoral college (NA, Senate & 4 PA's) on Jan 1 2004, which the PPP views as the start of his constitutional term, and ending on Dec 31 2008. Going by all the talk of deals BB and her party will elect Musharraf for another term after that.
I was referring to the president elected freely by the people or the assembly not under the duress of the wardi. If he considers himself that popular toh wardi uttar kar maidan mein aaye, he will lose his deposit.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
hahahahaah true.
but he could have aligned himself with Imran Khan, whatever he is, he is not corrupt. sadlyy it seems the nation prefers the usual corrput ppl who have been in our assemblies for decades, or their sons, daugters, nieces and nephews to be in** power.**
There you go you said it, nailed it, to be in power you have to stay with those who yield power. When Imran Khan aligns himself against some of his principles with those who yield power he too will get to share the power.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
There you go you said it, nailed it, to be in power you have to stay with those who yield power. When Imran Khan aligns himself against some of his principles with those who yield power he too will get to share the power.
How else did he win that solitary seat? Khan has understood the dynamics of power and made his bed with the religious right.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for "deal with Musharraf"
I still dont think Khan has sold his soul like others, he is misguided, does not have right ppl with him, has not been able to make an impact.
I mean I blasted him royally on this forum for not having a coherent comprehensive plan, but really... is the nation ready to see that and to base their votes on that or will they vote along ethnic lines and all again.
frankly I dont blame him for not having a plan, I blame him for being in politics. He would be more effective as a critic and commentator than a politician. Ralph Nader in US was a power to be dealt with as an activist, as he stepped into politics it only set him back.
Re: Benazir blasted by Nawaz Sharif & Fazlur Rehman for “deal with Musharraf”
oh great..I just made a thread abt Imoo bhai clicked on this thread. 