The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Pakistani Problems

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Ever since 9/11, Gen. Musharraf's rule over Pakistan has put the U.S. in a bind, presenting us with the tradeoff between having a strong ruler at the helm of a volatile nuclear state with a sizable population of Islamists and supporting a military dictator. This news (via the Washington Post) will make it increasingly difficult for the U.S. to justify its support for Musharraf, especially given the Bush administration's interest in democracy promotion:

Police throughout the country raided the homes of opposition party leaders and activists, arresting at least 500. Top lawyers were also taken into custody, and 70 activists were detained at the offices of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in the eastern city of Lahore. Police confiscated the equipment of journalists covering the raid and ordered them to leave the premises. All independent television news stations remained off the air for a second straight day. The prime minister, meanwhile, said that elections could be delayed for up to a year.

Condi Rice said the U.S. will review the $150 million in monthly assistance we provide to Pakistan, but it seems to me that the administration will likely wait to see if this state of emergency rule lasts beyond a few weeks. Another piece of analysis in the Post looks at how Musharraf started the year off with high popularity with Pakistan, but the more actions he has taken to solidify his grip on power, starting with clashing with a judge over his refusal to give up his post as army chief, the more unpopular he has become, forcing him to take yet more extreme measures to tighten his grip on power.

topics:
Trade, Television, Islam, Law, Military, Pakistan

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KHWAJA AFTAB ALI, Florida, USA| 2.22.09 @ 1:12PM

Five regional cities should be upgraded with in the provinces in Pakistan. Regional cities of Dera Ismail Khan in NWFP, Gawadar/ Qalat in Balouchistan, Sukkar/ Larkana in Upper Sind, Jehlam/ Rawalpindi and Multan in Punjab province. These regional cities have been ignored by the federal and provincial governments although these cities have their own history, culture and languages. The people of these regions have to travel to provincial capitals for every small issue and requirement of the daily life which should be provided in nearby cities. Creation of regional government and upgrading of the regional cities will save a lot of money and time of the poor people of these regions. Circuit courts of the High Courts are already working in these areas and only requirement is the additional staff of different departments involved in additional work at the provincial capitals. The concern authorities should immediately consider to upgrade the regional cities. And immediate attention should be given upgrade the airports, hospitals, educational institutes and investment opportunities for Pakistanis living abroad and foreign firms to create jobs in the area.