No one can really rtust Musharraf and the Pakistani army. This man for eight years had the absolute power backed up by the army and even then terrorists are everywhere. It is amazing that US Government does not see that inspite of the large sums of money spent has not brought calm and stability in the country. Musharraf has ruined the Judiciary and political system and sidelined all those who care about the country and may be able to do a better job that he has done uptil now.
I hope that that international community puts its foot down and say to Musharraf that enough is enough otherwise his future is goning to be like previous military dictators.

Muhammad Ashraf, Monmouth Junction, USA

Farrukh, sounds like you've got a chip on your shoulder. Bhutto is the criminal when her homecoming party was bombed by cowards and took the lives of innocent civilians supporting a politician of their choice? Things are simply so twisted in that part of the world you refuse to accept responsibility for yourselves, it's much more convenient for you to point the finger at the West than to reflect and look within and admit your own community and culture's faults.

I suppose you agree with the Saudi Arabian Shi'ite woman being sentenced to 200 lashings because she was with a man of non relation and unfortunately consequently abducted and gang raped as well?

Religion has no place in politics. Sadly over here stateside most of our representatives haven't figured that out yet either.

More lives have been lost and taken and injustice committed in the name of "God" than for any other reason in the history of the animal, man.

Jason, Detroit, Michigan

Tom Hogner, Tulsa, USA

president Bush is not a general. He doesnt have direct control over the military.
The USA wasnt a bunch of educated elites. We belive in God then as much as we do today. Yet we have a representive republic. If people want freedom they will get.
You clown.

shawn ross, kalkaska, michigan

I find it quite funny that President Bush has asked Musharraf to step down from the army. The last time I checked President Bush was also the Commander and Chief of the United States military... Then again it is also funny that Bhutto, who was ousted because of how corrupt her tenure was is now appearing ready to step back in... In the end the West needs to realize that a democracy only works in a country where the majority of the population is educated. A democracy in a developing country where the majority of the population fully accepts centuries old ramblings of a self proclaimed prophet as hard cold fact is a recipe for disaster.

Tom Hogner, Tulsa, USA

Perhaps he doesn't want to leave because he's afraid of what will happen if nuclear weapons fall into the hands of his successor, whoever that may be? If someone let loose a bomb directed at India, all of Pakistan would suffer greatly. Emergency rule or not, I don't take anything from that part of the world at face value. They think differently than Westerners, and it is folly for us to believe otherwise.

Esther, Chicago, IL

This whole farce orchestrated by Musharraf ,his team and outside 'influence' is turning into a full f;edged circus of embarassing proportions

Those calling for lifitng of emergency without mentioning the restoration of the Supreme Court Judges are in the same camp as Musharraf..as lifting emergency with puppet Judges (who just ruled in his favour) in place are in the mush camp and deffinately not with the Pakistani nation and its supporters.

The test is how soon the opposition parties unite to restore Pakistans sovereignity back and challenge this 'dictatorship' back to the barracks.

abrar, Ontario,

Its typical of the Western nations to use and abuse Pakistan and then crticise it on some pretext,such as democracy. It is beyond reasonable doubt that Bhutto, the darling of the West, is a criminal and is being dumped upon Pakistan for the sake of some devious democracy. Just like Mr Karzai is in power with lessthan 10% vote. Democracy is not acceptable to USA or UK if it generates a real result. Lets rig the election and who cares about 160 million Pakistanis. Thats the truth. Lets get all the crminals in power and stuff the man who saved our necks and made the world a safer place

shehzad Farrukh, london, uk

Mr.Musharraf is over reacting. Why ? What has he got to hide. Why
is he so touchy. All these questions come to my mind.
Why is Musharraf finding it so hard to understand that he can not be Army Chief of Staff and the President of Pakistan forever and ever.He has to be reminded that he has to leave one day. Therefore he must not lose sight of compassion and he should not label everyone who disagrees with him as a terrorist. The West who has backed him all this time must teach him the meaning of word terrorist. Does Imran Khan look like a terrorist to any one.Yes he is probably against the Wars but on this occasion he was campaigning for the freedom of judiciary in Pakistan.Is this classified as terrorism?
Mr Musharraf has to be questioned seriously about his actions
in the forthcoming Common Wealth meeting. He has unleashed disproportionate amount of punishment on his opponents and the people of Pakistan. By such actions he is arousing hatred for himself in the hearts of the public.

Dr. S. Qureshi, Rochester, UK

I am keeping my eyes open and my mouth shut. I am trying to, anyway! Things are moving pretty fast even if it doesn't seem that way, and everyone involved is using our perceptions as a weapon.

There are an awful lot of practical problems in Pakistan and the region that need to be solved, and they won't be solved if the leading political personalities behave like spoilt children.

Christopher Hobe Morrison, Pine Bush, Ulster County, NY, USA