Musharraf's Performance

Ahmad Saad Nasim, Tucson, AZ

It was sad to see your poll results about Musharraf’s one-year performance. You have to give democracy a chance. The military must accept orders from a civilian ruler to ensure that democracy works. Just look around and learn from the United States.

It is true that Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif were corrupt but how long could Musharraf play a baby-sitting role for Pakistan? What happens when he dies? Will the new dictator be better or will we have corrupt politicians because the voters never had a chance to see democratic activities going on?

---

Naveed Khan, Karachi

While governance and the documentation of the economy is a big leap forward, the government does not appear to have made much headway in improving the economy nor with the systems affecting the common man. While General Musharraf is widely regarded as a balanced individual with a liberal approach, his government has apparently buckled under pressure of the ‘holy’ mullah - the retreat from the procedural change in blasphemy law, the issue of joint electorates and support to the Taaliban against the wishes of a majority of the Pakistanis are stark examples of this reality.