Comments on: On Savage Seas

By: Anwaar

Anwaar — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:08:05 +0000

Pakistan court clears way for Musharraf

Associated Press

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – A Supreme Court stacked with judges loyal to President Gen. Pervez Musharraf cleared the way for him to rule as a civilian president, ruling Thursday against a final challenge blocking ratification of his election last month.

The decision, which was widely expected, means that Pakistan’s Election Commission can put a stamp of approval on the vote. Musharraf has said he would then step down as army chief and take the oath as president.

The rest : http://tinyurl.com/yulr5h

By: rowan

rowan — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 04:42:26 +0000

Thank you for the excellent article, and for the collection of exceptional information and analysis on the situation in Pakistan. This is the first place I come to try to decipher the dynamics of what is happening there.

By: Anwaar

Anwaar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:05:57 +0000

Thank you Jon. It is always good to hear from you.

However, I do not see how we differ in our opnions. This is precisely what I had in mind when I wrote;

“It is but plain to see that if the tidal wave of Pakistani opinion does not alter the course of the nation, inter alia, ‘providence’ of our ‘chosen gods’ will, sooner than later, interfere in the game he is playing. This is no idle omen.”

Concentrate on the quotes Jon. I think we are saying the same thing.

By: Jonathan Stephenson

Jonathan Stephenson — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:05:24 +0000

I believe a little differently than you on this Anwaar, for I believe the general has been bought and neutered by the Bush/Cheney Junta, and I’m not to sure he has much of an option in what he does. Say for instance the general decides to open up the political process to all parties, which of course would include some more radical parties, do you believe that Bush/Cheney wouldn’t intervene if it looked as a party they disapproved of might end up winning or sharing power, and that they might decide then that they needed to take out Pakistans nukes just in case. If this was a situation he was facing, would you still judge his actions now to be as disturbing as they appear? Once he allowed the US Military to get involved actively in Pakistan is it not now possible that he himself actually only has limited control of his own nation, and any attempt by him to alter this situation could lead to a massive attack on Pakistans military and nuclear weapons sites? I’ve read in the papers here how the US Military has helped Pakistan secure her weapons, that sounds awefully fishey to me. Sincerely, Jon

By: Anwaar

Anwaar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:24:37 +0000

Thank you all for commenting. This just in;

Court dismisses challenges to Musharraf,

The Guardian

President Pervez Musharraf’s handpicked supreme court dismissed a string of legal challenges yesterday, clearing the way for his resignation as chief of army staff by the end of this week.

The court, which was packed with Musharraf loyalists, swiftly dismissed five petitions to his controversial October 6 re-election, in which the military ruler won 98% of votes cast.

Ensuring victory in yesterday’s court cases was at the heart of Musharraf’s decision to impose emergency rule just over two weeks ago. To ensure the decision went his way Musharraf suspended the constitution and fired the chief justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Yesterday Chaudhry and seven other independent-minded judges remained under house arrest, and the replacement bench clearly signalled its loyalties. In little more than an hour five anti-Musharraf petitions were quashed and lawyers for his opponents given hostile treatment.

Source http://tinyurl.com/ywfgx5

By: the olive ream

the olive ream — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:22:35 +0000

Impeccable piece – as always! What makes one angry is that majority of Pakistanis actually supported him when he took power. He did a 180 degree turn and now will be remembered with the likes of the late General Zia Ul Haq.

I join you (as do millions of other Pakistanis) in your prayer for Pakistan.

By: Highlander

Highlander — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:21:38 +0000

It is a pleasure to read your thoughts, beaded in a prose of such pristine beauty.

May the angels keep smiling on you Anwaar.

Salutes to your courage Amigo.

Highlander

By: Allen L Roland

Allen L Roland — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:17:02 +0000

Good article, Anwaar ~ unfortunately, Musharraf is just another world leader who has been infected by the cancerous Cheney/Bush global agenda and will soon suffer the fate of the others ~ Tony Blair, John Howard in next weekend’s Australian elections and eventually many others who sacrificed their moral integrity and principles for power .

Allen L Roland

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:03:18 +0000

Anwaar,

This is your best piece EVER! I know how hard it was for you to write and I understand why you’ve been silent until recently. It was very brave of you to write this, brave on a deeply personal level.

Bravo, scribe…you have my utmost respect.

Michelle

And this one because I read oh so much….maybe too much:

Captain Ahab:

What a traditional tragic scene the sea is….a universe without any certainties whatsoever! Is not the sea the world as given to you?…Not a world you arbitrarily imagine; one of tragic incongruities in God, nature, and man. Ahab/Anwaar, you suffer so from the human condition while you strive to comprehend it!

If I’ve seen arrogance at times and contradicted you, it is because I’ve also seen how enormous your agony is. One day you may come to ‘appreciate’ how I’ve watched over your voyage across your own personal sea, in search of the great white truth. Until then, may you find that final faith and peace deserving of any tragic hero……

Yours in Service,

Ishmael

By: Masroor ul Hassan

Masroor ul Hassan — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:42:30 +0000

Anwaar Hussain,

Judging by the very last line of your burning article,”If ever Pakistan needed prayers, it is now. O lord who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, have mercy on us.”, those who know you, can tell the agony of your soul.

You have skillfully analyzed the state of mind of the great savior General. He cannot even imagine letting go the power he usurped from those who had been given the mandate for it by the people of Pakistan.

Always an optimist, your upright posture hitherto kept your head straight up. But here, in this latest post, I see a little hopelessness. Or do I? The very realization of this fact sent cold shivers up my spine.

Anwaar, keep your head up for the last thing your ‘Fatherland’ can afford is your state of depression and possible resultant inaction. Keep the sword of your pen lashing and you have friends like us with you.

Our task becomes uphill because there are conscienceless toddies who sell themselves and jump on the ‘savior’ band wagon for petty material gains. National interest in none of their priorities. I shall soon share my feeling in a separate article.

May Allah reward you and others who are waging intellectual war for the betterment of ‘Fatherland”

Best regards,

Masroor