Alas after Mr. Nawaz Sharif’s proposed return to Pakistan, Ms Benazir Bhutto, the leader of the Peoples Party which challenged the might of Zia martial aw in the mid 70s and 80s, might find herself sitting on the wrong side of the fence. When much of the political leadership from Punjab, Balochistan, NWFP and small nationalists and secular parties from even Sindh,, Ms Bhutto’s home province, will support Mr. Sharif, the Oxford educated Ms. Bhutto will join the company of the generals, the official Muslims League of deserters from PPP and Nawaz League, Musharaff’s proxy in Karachi, the MQM, which has earned the notoriety of a murderous gang after reportedly perpetuating the 12 May massacre in Karachi, and Pir Pagara, who has no reservations in calling himself “the General Head Quarters (GHQ)’s man. It is improbable that Ms. Bhutto’s attempt of forming a hybrid of democracy and dictatorship will succeed. All her education, training, experience might be squandered just for insat

Dr. Mehtab Ali Shah, Sindh University, Jamshoro, Si, Pakistan

I am afraid that while Sharif and Bhutto are celebrating their pending return to Pakistan, their motivation appears to be revenge and not the welfare of Pakistan. The PPP and the Muslim League are not political parties. They are nothing more than large tribes and the Sharif and Bhutto are no more than the fuedal lords who legitimize their rules by "democracy". When in power, like anyother war lord, they begin to distribute the national wealth among their tribal members. Since the assasination of the first Prim Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, none of the political leaders have been motivated by the future of Pakistan. How can a democracy succeed in a country with a literacy rate of only 9% and education system is fragmented. Each military ruler has attempted to eliminate corruption and most of the gains fade away after the polititions return. Let us hope that this time around it may be different.

Maqbool Qurashi, Leesburg, Florida, USA

Maddox: your analysis is great. You know sometimes, democracy produces unworthy leaders, but that is no excuse to ditch it and replace it with military dictators. But how can 'unarmed' civilians fight against an army, which loses all wars against the so-called enemy but represses its civilian population. I admit Benazir , Nawaz Sharif were angels, but if that is what Pakistanis want, let them have them. But we do not want Mullahs to rule us. they say there is a military and Mullah alliance. We want to break this alliance. The west must input positive influence for us to achieve this goal

Sharlone, Nidderau, Germany

Mr Maddox, The Urdu word for democracy is "Jamhooriat" spelled phonetically in Latin alphabet. And it is vigorously used in Pakistan. Even Zia ul Haq had invoked it 5-7 times in his first national speech after usurping it and dooming Pakistan to her present predicaments. There are many colorful and descriptive terms in Urdu for floor-crossing and horsetrading, e.g. "Syasi Qalabazi" and "Zameer Farooshi" but people like Sharif are blissfully ignorant of it. He and his family took it to an art form, now he complains of it. And it only appears to your British colonial mindset that Dorchester Hotel is where you will proscribe the fate of Pakistan. If you actually spend some time talking to real Pakistani language speakers in their native land then you will realize that Bhuttos, Sharifs and Generals will dissipate against the will of the people.

Marc, Springfield, USA

It is unfortunate that Musharraf is willing for Pakistan to suffer serious damage,so that he can continue to be illegal President of Pakistan.Worse is the fact that a lot of people helped him in this for their own nefarious designs.If Musharraf is the most popular leader,as he claims he is,then why stop other politicians to take part in the elections.I hope Nawaz Sharif goes back and tries to fight a fair election,which the dictator will not allow,as in the past.He is doing everything in the national interest,may be now he should quit in the national interest.Ihope Nawaz Sharif and other politicians have learnt that corruption and in fighting and asking for army's help is disatrous.Unfortunately Musharraf will not willingly go and he will adopt all illegal means,as legal means will not work.He is for himself and sycophants around him make him believe he is a genius and has worked wonders.But for 9/11 he would have gone long ago.

zaman, hamden, USA

Assuming present trends continue, in a generation's time Pakistan will have a larger population than the USA. Around 25 million of these will be young men between the age of 16 and 25, looking, as the World Bank puts it, 'for dignified employment', and unless things change radically, failing to find it. The current dance of political factions does not look likely to produce the vision, or the political stability, to address this. A mounting problem for the world, in the all too predictable spillover; much worse for the unfortunate Pakistanis themselves.

david gilchrist, oslo, norway