Mr. Abid (UK) and Mr. Arshad (Islamabad) don't seem to understand the underpinning issue here.
The question is not about corrupt politicians vs. military dictators...its about how long can Pakistan last without lawful governance...how long can we exist as a nation without paying heed to the law and social contract that binds the people of Pakistan together.
I travel in public transport...i meet the common man...and listen to his views. And the common man is sick and tired for a whole lot of factors.
Those who legitimize subversion of law would not have law to protect them in the end. The argument that Mr. Arshad gives about illetracy, directly strikes the one about people giving sweets when dictators stomp in. Isn't that illetracy too ?
I think for Pakistan to survive Musharraf has to go. Today, the very people who support him would be the very people who contribute to breakup of the state. The politics played by the Gen. is divisive as it has pited Pakistanis against Pakistanis.

Bilal, Lahore, Pakistan

I agree with Arshad from, Islamabad. Ours previous leaders Sharif & Benazir were given full chance to run the country for the benefit of Pakistan and people of Pakistan. They failed to return any thing to the people of Pakistan except their own supports. These are the people who are damaging wealth of the country in terms of national properties as well as individual properties and individual life. If possible under any law they should never be allowed to enter into Pakistan.
Both claim democracy, they should consider first themselves whether their party is democratic. They are holding the position in the party in such a way that they will be National leader whenever the party get majority seats.
I believe we need a law which allow death penalty to the leader of the country who failed to look after the interest of the country and people of Pakistan, for the purpose one evidence should be enough.

Tanwir-London-UK

Tanwir Rao, Middlesex, UK

I agree with the majority of comments that suggest that musharref should stay. He has made Pakistan much more prosperous than Benazir and Nawaz. Furthermore, there is much greater freedom of the press and communication. Pakistan is now welcome in the community of nations and their is much greater security in the country. For once we are not looking at India as our mortal enemy and we have levereged our strategic importance to have decent relations with all our neighbours and beyond.

Lets not forget the extreme corruption, the serious security issues (pucca gila massacre), violence between student organizations and the sky high murder rate that were common during the times of Nawaz and Benazir. Lets not forget how Benazir was convicted in swiss courts for corruption. How she built a mansion in the U.K. off pakistani tax payers money and stocked it with antiquities from pakistan's museums. How her husband was called 10% and 20% respectively in her two terms.

Ali, New York, USA

To Arshad,Islamabad,Pakistan.

It's hard to read conclude anything from your post which suggests you agree to any point I made in my earlier post.

You make very robust criticism of civilian politicians without pointing a finger at any Military general.,who have also bought Pakistan to this state of affairs. You reject others views because 'you are closer the ground realities' seems very naive.

The only view you left in your post is one sided and partial.

As Pakistan passes through very testing times,people of that country need to support the Judiciary and those opposing the status quo.

Pakistan should not be turned into another Burma or Egypt.

Abrar, Ontario, Canada

This is how military rulers/dictators consolidate powers. Till the end, they can't give up! They will employ different tricks to keep themselves in power. Musharraf's case is the glaring one!

However, there will be more turmoil in Pakistan, if Musharraf is reelected. He has created many enemies. His earlier allies (different Islamic parties from the extreme to the moderate ones) are slowly deserting him. Even the Islamic terrorists, which Pakistan has been nurturing are going to hurt Musharraf badly. Sometimes, extremists turn against the very creators and they know no rules!

Unfortunately for Pakistan, the alternative leaders such as Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif are worse.

Due to lack of credible leadership and eroding credibility of Musharraf, don't be surprised, if Pakistan plunges into a bloody civil war!
Regards,

Krishna R. Kumar, Udupi, India

I tend to agree with both, Abrar and Abid but would like to highlight that its very easy to comment on something while living in Canada and UK sice one cant percieve ground realities here. Analysis of some problem or situation can only be carried out once you are in it. We are facing it here and we are the sufferers. Both these innocents and exiled popular leaders were given their due share to run the country. One turned dictator after 2/3 rd majority and other started revenging her fathers hanging from all pakistanis by threatening our national interests. Her husband took pride in being called as Mr 10%. So in Pakistan military take over is a way of rejection, This might look odd but it is reality. Owing to illetracy and Baraderi/Clan politics rejection in Pakistan migh never come from masses. They just approve it through distributing sweets after a military take over. Now both of them are not vying to be back to serve the poor people, they want to digest 16-17 billion dollars.

Arshad, Islamabad, Pakistan

Mian Abid Mahmood..Very dissapointing post from, it seems like you prefer the 'status quo' to democracy where atleast people have a choice to remove a party and it'sa leader from power.

when you say Mr Musharraf should contrinue to stay "head of State" you have to explain under which Law as his posts are being challenged in the S Court.

Elections under a "Nationl Goverment" should be held with an open field...let the process continue ultimately the 'bad fish' will be filtered out.

The big political parties need to have 'internal democracy' so that new leadership emerges.

The army should go back to perform its 'real' function at the borders.

Abrar, Ontario, Canada

Sir
For reasons of corrupt former leaders, no one should be surprised if Musharaf is reelected as President. Their performance and recod as Prime Ministers in the past cannot be considered to be graceful. Both, Sharif and Benazir should voluntarily keep out of Pakistans' politics and allow new faces to come forward. That is the only weapon to ensure a real change and to keep Military out of Pakistans' politics. Otherwise we should expect Military role in Pakistan for a foreseeable future.
I am Sir
Yours Truly

Ad Mahmood

Man Abid Mahmood, London, United Kingdom.

President Musharaf should continue to be the Head of State untll such a time that we sme decent and honest people as our leaders. Benazir and Sharif have both failed. Their past record is the biggest enemy of their own!

Mian Abid Mahmood, London, United Kingdom.