M A I L B A G

Musharraf rules against heavy odds

THIS has reference to H.K. Dua’s account of his visit to Pakistan in his three front-page articles (May 24, 25 and 27). Mr Dua has examined the maneuverability of President Musharraf to govern Pakistan against heavy odds.

Clearly, the Pakistan President is clever and intelligent. He speaks the language of contemporary times. He knows when to speak and what, and whom to please and when. He has successfully warded off all the internal and external pressures since he ousted Nawaz Sharif in 1998. He has handled the US and the UK deftly.

President Musharraf has weakened the Opposition by sending its leaders in exile or slapping cases against them and keeping them at bay. Come what may, he will never hang his uniform and give up the post.

As regards the Indo-Pak ties, India’s confidence building measures seem to have very little meaning for him. If he faces any threat to his chair, he will resort to anti-India tirade again to save his position.

PURAN SINGH, Nilokheri (Karnal)

II

Whether President Musharraf will contest for another term or not is a pertinent question. He never regarded the Constitution as a hurdle and has always come to power with questionable means. In Pakistan, the judiciary has always been obliging the rulers in uniform wielding unquestioned power irrespective of the constitutional niceties.

No doubt, there is a long history of suspicion and mistrust about Musharraf’s future. Yet unnecessary hype on his next term should be avoided. The situation is likely to remain the same. The most significant is the power of the army under the US Administration as an instrument of ultimate power. This means Musharraf will continue to command the army even after the end of his present term.

UMED SINGH GULIA, Gohana (Haryana)

III

Mr Dua’s analysis of the political situation in Pakistan (May 24) is most revealing. The fact is, President Musharraf, being a modern and skilful person, has been able to isolate the fundamentalists in Pakistan to a great extent. He understands well the exigencies of the present-day world.

Mr Dua has rightly identified ‘the Army’ and ‘the United States’ as the two sources of President Musharraf’s strength. I think the third one is his own modern and liberal approach to understand the urges and aspirations of the people of Pakistan who, it seems, are fed up with the fundamentalist approaches adopted by the previous military rulers. He will earn credit if he succeeds in transforming his country into a democratic and secular one. India should help him in such endeavours.

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

IV

I refer to Mr Dua’s article “The man of the fleeting moment” (May 25). President Musharraf is a past master in dramatics. Enacting different roles on various occasions and changing colours like a chameleon are the ingredients of his ever-changing personality.

Fifty-eight years of history of free India tells that religion cannot be the basis of any division of any territory. People of different religions can live together peacefully. Let us strive for improving the living conditions of the common masses in both countries rather than fritter away our energies in religious dogmas and pursuits spread by fanatics.

Removing (and not redrawing) the borders is acceptable to people of both countries. Let us give peace a chance. Let us not disbelieve President Musharraf by oft quoting Vajpayee’s Lahore Bus Yatra and the subsequent Kargil conflict.

SHYAM SUNDER AIRI, Kapurthala

Senior citizen status

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh should appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to lower the age limit from 65 to 60 years for making people eligible for the senior citizen status. They should be given income-tax relief and other benefits as they are in the evening of their lives.

Prof B.M. RAWLLEY, Nabha

Prevent floods

The floods in August last year in Ambala Cantonment resulted in the loss of properties worth crores of rupees. As the monsoon is round the corner, the civic bodies of Ambala Sadar and Ambala City should get all nallahs and drains fully desilted to prevent the recurrence of flash floods.

The Chief Minister should heed the Prime Minister’s recent warning in this regard to gear up and keep the machinery ready to tackle the impending floods.

K.B. SHARMA, Ambala Cantt