Adil Najam
It seems like everyone has an opinion on what Gen. Musharraf should do about the 2007 elections and the question of ‘removing’ his uniform. (See related ATP posts here, here, and here). 
So, why not hear what ATP readers say on this question. That is what this, the second, ATP Poll will try to do.
But first, some context. I was in Washington DC yesterday speaking at a panel titled ‘Inside Musharraf’s Pakistan.’ The panel was moderated by Akbar S. Ahmed (American University and the Brookings Institute) and, apart from myself, included Shahid Javed Burki (former World Bank and Pakistan’s Finance Minister), and Frederic Grare (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace). The event was co-organized by the World Affairs Council (Washington DC), Rising Leaders, and the International Trade Center.
The discussion was very wide-ranging and given the (very) divergent views of the three speakers it was a lively session, made all the more interesting by some tough and probing questions from the floor. After the event an American research asked me what the mood of public opinion was on whether Gen. Musharraf should keep two offices (Army Chief and President) or not. The only honest answer I could give was that beyond saying that opinion was divided, I really did not know. And nor does anyone else; including General Musharraf himself (irrespective of whatever his advisors may tell him).
That gave me the idea that we should ask ATP readers what they think.
The Question: In your opinion, what should Gen. Musharraf do prior to the 2007 elections on the twin-office (President and/or Army Chief) issue?
[Please remember, the question is about what you think he should do, NOT about what you think he will do].
- Continue holding both offices, by asking current Assembly to confirm him in both offices before the 2007 elections.
- Continue in only one of the two offices (President or Army Chief) and give up the other.
- Let the new Assembly decide, post-2007 elections, whether he can or should continue in both offices.
- Hold a national referendum on whether he can or should continue in both offices.
- Retire at the end of 2006 and fully hand over both offices to his successors.
You can get to the polling area by clicking on the responses in the sidebar, or directly by clicking here.
If you do want to influence the results, please, by all means ask your friends to also vote. Voting is anonymous; as it should be. This will, of course, not be a very scientific poll, but it will at least give us a sense of what this community — the ATP cohort — thinks.
Do vote, but please vote only once (even if you are smart enough to beat the system somehow). You can view the results here. [Polling Closed; 11.15PM, 31 July 2006].
P.S. The cartoon above is, once again, from The Friday Times.
I do not think there is the type of anger against Mush that is required to remove his. People are tired and mayb in a mood for a change. Butthey are not angryu. Until they are, Mush will sail smoothly.
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings from an Indian in Calcutta. I am delighted to have discovered this blog from Pakistan, and I look forward to browsing through and savouring the archive contents. For a feel of a thinking Indian’s sensibility – I would like to invite you to visit my blog at cuckooscall.blogspot.com Best regards, rama
P.S.: I wrote an article on the Pakistani singer Reshma, which was carried on
chowk.com in 1999.
http://www.chowk.com/show_article.cgi?aid=00000609 &channel=leafyglade%20inn
That article was reproduced on several other websites, such as
pakistanimusic.com, as well as PTV’s website (which I thought was rich,
notwithstanding the fact that there was no acknowledgement, which I didn’t
mind at all, since I like anonymity). I was kicked by the fact that encomium of a
Pakistani singer carried on a Pakistani govt agency’s website was by an anonymous
Indian!
I kind of agree with Saad that looking at alternatives to Mush I do not find anyone. BUT then there is a dilemma that he is not an elected person. If democracy prevails for say 20 straight years then it will filter out the corrupt politicians. But for democracy to succeed it needs to prevail for atleast four to five govt terms. The term of a govt needs to be reduced to 3 to 4 years therefore they either have to do some work or get voted out. One thing the Mush govt has done right is to create city governments, reduce constituency sizes and increase number of seats. this gives people sense of participation. i am very sure that city govts of Karachi and Lahore are a roaring successes.
I have voted on the poll that he should now hand over both offices. If he leaves now then he will leave with good name. if he sticks too long then it will be a repeat of history of Ayub and Zia where the personalities were great, without personal corruption and may be very sincere too but they destroyed the democratic system and now everyone blames them for the ills. Ayub govt was brought down to its knees within 25 days due to mass protests.
The miliatray has to just get out of all politics, That will also be good for the military’s own image in society. We cannot wait for the ‘right’ leaders, they will come when democracy comes. And in the meanwhile we will get some good, some bad. The problem is that even if the people are ready for democracy, the military is not.
I am also not a fan of NS adn BB but that cannot be used as excuse for constant military rule. Maybe Mush should make real history by being the first military ruler to give up power on his own. He will certainly be remebered for it.