|
Click Here to Login |
Register | Premium Upgrade | Blogs | Gallery | Arcade | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read | Log in |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 | |
Blue Crack Addict
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Rage Ave.
Posts: 18,749
Local Time: 04:41 AM
|
![]() Quote:
Pakistan has been a key ally in the U.S. led War on Terror. What implications will this State of Emergency have on this war? Musharraf has been considering doing this for a few months now, while the U.S. discouraged it. Now it has been done. I'm curious to see what happens next. I'm also concerned for the people in Pakistan as the police are arresting people by the hundreds. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Blue Crack Addict
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: turtle island
Posts: 22,244
Local Time: 05:41 AM
|
So much for democracy
__________________![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
ONE
love, blood, life Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: It's a very, very mad world.
Posts: 14,971
Local Time: 04:41 AM
|
This is crazy, a state of emergency doesn't mean arrest everyone or shut down all access to media. This is unreal.
|
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,471
Local Time: 10:41 AM
|
^ It does when your none-too-subtle motive for declaring one is to prevent the judiciary from thwarting your attempts to bypass the constitution in order to maintain executive power (and the media from amplifying their criticisms).
As far as impact on GWOT--it's highly doubtful whether these measures will improve Musharraf's odds against the Pakistani Taliban in the North-West Frontier Province (whom the arrested lawyers and journalists were assuredly not in cahoots with). On the contrary, it seems likely that they'll divert military manpower to the (even more demoralizing) tasks of quashing demonstrations in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi--again, hardly GWOT hotspots--and manhandling journalists, while further alienating the general public and further incensing the radicals (never a good combination). There is some hope that Bhutto, now basically the only opposition leader still enjoying freedom of movement, will rally the opposition around her and strongly publically protest this action, possibly opening up a wedge between Musharraf and the military rank-and-file. She has plenty of reasons not to do so though, ranging from her own political prospects being tied to deals cut with Musharraf, to plain old personal safety. I don't see how he can contain the fallout this time. I really don't. |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Blue Crack Addict
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: turtle island
Posts: 22,244
Local Time: 05:41 AM
|
I really think it's time for a coup d'etat in Pakistan, although I think the only real element at this point that can stand up to Musharraf (who, from what I understand, is solidly supported by the military) is unfortunately a union/coalition of the Pashtun extremist factions and the FATA and NWFP. I don't think Bhutto's got the support she needs to get the job done, and it's clear that Musharraf is not going to tolerate any peaceful challenges to his leadership.
|
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Blue Crack Addict
Join Date: May 2002
Location: hoping for changes
Posts: 23,331
Local Time: 09:41 AM
|
Yeah, it's time for a coup.
|
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,471
Local Time: 10:41 AM
|
The only "coup" I could possibly see happening is the corps commanders and/or intelligence directors quietly nudging Musharraf out of uniform and replacing him with, in all likelihood, General Kiani, whom Musharraf himself had handpicked as his successor anyway (though how that might affect politics proper, as opposed to the military, is unclear). There's certainly some possibility that the lower ranks of both the army and the intelligence services could themselves become more radicalized with time--army morale issues are already a major problem in the NWFP, both because of the perception that this is 'America's war' and because of the large numbers of Pashtun in the army; while the intelligence community has its own history of sympathies for the Taliban, dating to their (US-backed and funded) support for and collaboration with the mujahideen, from whom the Taliban emerged. The Taliban/AQ-linked elements overthrowing the government on their own is out of the question, and in any case would hardly be preferable to the current situation.
And unfortunately sound precedents for peaceful transition to appeal to are lacking, since in Pakistan (and especially for civilian governments) being forced prematurely from office has always been the rule rather than the exception. The proper role of the army and the state apparatus vis-a-vis each other has always been murky and even now, many if not most Pakistanis still trust the army more than they trust any political party. |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 | |
Vocal parasite
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: 1853
Posts: 152,977
Local Time: 07:41 PM
|
Quote:
No, I don't have anything serious to add. ![]()
__________________
"Mediocrity is never so dangerous as when it is dressed up as sincerity." - Søren Kierkegaard Ian McCulloch the U2 fan: "Who buys U2 records anyway? It's just music for plumbers and bricklayers. Bono, what a slob. You'd think with all that climbing about he does, he'd look real fit and that. But he's real fat, y'know. Reminds me of a soddin' mountain goat." "And as for Bono, he needs a colostomy bag for his mouth." U2gigs: The most comprehensive U2 setlist database! Gig pictures | Blog |
|
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
ONE
love, blood, life Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: canada
Posts: 13,462
Local Time: 04:41 AM
|
this is far bigger news that most people realize.
it'll be interesting to see how this plays out, to say the least. |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
VIP PASS Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: London/Sydney
Posts: 6,609
Local Time: 09:41 AM
|
"Top 5 Situations That Could Lead Us All Into Unimaginable Shit Real Quick".
All depends on what happens at the very next step. |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Blue Crack Supplier
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: I'm here 'cus I don't want to go home
Posts: 31,961
Local Time: 04:41 AM
|
Quote:
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | ||
Blue Crack Addict
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: turtle island
Posts: 22,244
Local Time: 05:41 AM
|
Quote:
Wonder if this is going to be an election or an "election"? Quote:
|
||
![]() |
![]() |
#13 | |
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,471
Local Time: 10:41 AM
|
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
#14 | |
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,471
Local Time: 10:41 AM
|
Deja vu?
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Blue Crack Addict
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 28,212
Local Time: 05:41 AM
|
Benazir Bhutto is dead, her husband said she was shot in the neck after a suicide blast today at a rally.
|
![]() |
![]() |
#16 | |
Refugee
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Tel-Aviv, Israel
Posts: 1,300
Local Time: 09:41 AM
|
Quote:
RIP Benazir..... From the CNN website: RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has died after a suicide bombing that killed at least 14 of her supporters, ex-government spokesman Tariq Azim Khan and Pakistan's primary television networks said. Video of the scene just moments before the explosion showed Bhutto stepping into a heavily-guarded vehicle to leave the rally. Khan said while it appeared Bhutto was shot, it was unclear if her bullet wounds were caused by a shooting or shrapnel from the bomb. The suicide attack left at least 14 dead and 40 injured, Khan told CNN in a telephone interview. The attacker is said to have detonated a bomb as he tried to enter the rally where thousands of people gathered to hear Bhutto speak, police said. Video from the scene of the blast broadcast from Geo TV showed wounded people being loaded into ambulances. Up to 20 people are dead, the report said. Earlier, four supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif died when members of another political party opened fire on them at a rally near the Islamabad airport Friday, local police said. Several other members of Sharif's party were wounded, police added. While President Pervez Musharraf has promised free and fair parliamentary elections next month, continued instability in the tribal areas and the threat of attack on large crowds has kept people from attending political rallies and dampened the country's political process. Campaigners from various political groups say fewer people are coming out to show their support due to government crackdowns and the threat of violence. Thursday's violence come less than two weeks ahead of January parliamentary elections and as many days after President Pervez Musharraf lifted a six-week-old state of emergency he said was necessary to ensure the country's stability. Critics said Musharraf's political maneuvering was meant to stifle the country's judiciary as well as curb the media and opposition groups to secure more power. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Blue Crack Addict
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: England by way of 'Murica.
Posts: 22,142
Local Time: 09:41 AM
|
![]() No good will come of this...at least in the short term. I also want to add that unfortunately I am not surprised by this. I fear for the people of Pakistan and the potential violent backlash that may arise from this. |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Black and White Town
Posts: 3,962
Local Time: 04:41 AM
|
Wow. I just read this on CNN.com.
Wow. ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Black and White Town
Posts: 3,962
Local Time: 04:41 AM
|
From Time.com
Bhutto: "She has been Martyred" By Aryn Baker Just days before parliamentary polls in Pakistan, leading Prime Ministerial contender and anti terrorism crusader Benazir Bhutto was shot dead during an election rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near Islamabad. "She has been martyred," said party official Rehman Malik. The Associated Press, citing Malik, reported that Bhutto was shot in the neck and the chest before the gunman blew himself up. At least 20 bystanders were killed in the blast. Bhutto was rushed to a hospital But, at 6:16 p.m. Pakistan time, she was declared dead. ""How can somebody who can shoot her get so close to her with all the so-called security?" said a distraught Husain Haqqani, a former top aide to Bhutto, shortly after news of her death flashed around the world. Haqqani, who served as a spokesman and top aide to Bhutto for more than a decade, blamed Pakistani security, either through neglect or complicity, in her assassination. "This is the security establishment, which has always wanted her out," he said through tears. For the past several months Pakistan has been plagued by a wave of violence that has seen hundreds of civilians killed in similar bombing attacks; and hundreds more military personnel, prompting President Pervez Musharraf to declare a state of emergency. On December 16th, Musharraf lifted the state of emergency, stating that the threat had been contained. The bombings, however, continued. Just hours before her assassination, Bhutto, 54, met with visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai to discuss the threat of terrorism against both countries. The U.S. has long supported a return to power by Bhutto, who was perceived to be a moderate willing to work with Washington on the war on terror. She was also seen as a democratic leader who would serve as a counter to the plummeting popularity of Musharraf, who took power in a 1999 military coup. It was thought that a power-sharing deal between the two, in which Musharraf stayed on as president while Bhutto lead as prime minister, would promote stability in this nuclear armed nation of 165 million. But from the day of her arrival in Pakistan after eight years in exile, Bhutto's return has been marred by violence. On October 18th, a pair of bombs detonated in the midst a welcome home rally in Karachi for the former two-time prime minister, killing some 145 in a deliberate attempt on her life. The organization responsible for the carnage has not yet been identified, but Bhutto said she suspected al Qaeda and some unspecified members of Musharraf's government who did not want to see her return to power. Despite the clear threat to her life, Bhutto continued to campaign publicly with the kind of mass rallies that are the cornerstone of politicking in Pakistan. "I am not afraid," she told TIME last month, "I am ready to die for my country." Haqqani, now a professor at Boston University, isn't sure what the latest bloodshed means for his country. "Will the Pakistani military realize that this is going to tear the fabric of the nation apart, and so really get serious about securing the country and about getting serious in dealing with the extremist jihadis?" he wondered. But he made clear he feels the best chance for such a policy has just evaporated. "She did show courage, and she was the only person who spoke out against terrorism," he said. "She was let down by those in Washington who think that sucking up to bad governments around the world is their best policy option." Pakistan can ill afford to sacrifice the few moderate leaders it has left. Bhutto's death will plunge the upcoming elections into uncertainty and the country further into instability. And that's good news for terrorism. With reporting by Mark Thompson/Washington |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 | |
ONE
love, blood, life Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 12,689
Local Time: 05:41 AM
|
Quote:
Sad news though. |
|
![]() |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|