Pakistan Crisis 1/2

Aired on June 19, 2007
Cracks in Pakistan's dictatorship. A political crisis is gripping the regime of President/General Pervez Musharraf with historic protests challenging his military government. A man in whom the U.S has invested a whole lot of money and political capital since 9/11.

It all started back in March when Musharraf suspended the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Massive protests were met with armed pro-government supporters and dozens were killed. Since then, the protests have continued led by thousands of lawyers growing more confident and putting increasing pressure on the regime.

The U.S. sees him as a bulwark against Islamic fundamentalism in the region. But at home Musharraf has also cultivated what some call the military-mosque alliance. At a mosque in the centre of Islamabad, a mullah has declared sharia law. The government remains silent. There are tens of thousands of Pakistani troops in provinces bordering Afghanistan. Despite this, the Taliban are growing stronger.

Avi talks to Ayesha Siddiqa, author of Military Inc: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy, and Zahid Hussein, journalist and author of Frontline Pakistan: The Struggle with Militant Islam.

THE FACTS ON PAKISTAN
Islamabad has handed over more than 700 suspected al-Qaeda operatives to the U.S. as of 2005.
(Source: BBC news)

Washington has given Pakistan at least $10 billion in military and civilian funding since 9/11.

Musharraf has sent 80,000 troops to this region and 700 have been killed.
(Source: The Economist)

Waziristan (bordering Afghanistan)has one hospital bed per 6,000 inhabitants and a 10% literacy rate. More than 80% of the men are educated in the Madrassa and girls not at all.

A poll in February showed that 54.2% of Pakistanis approve of how Musharraf is doing his job.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Pakistan
• Crisis
• Musharraf
• 9/11
• al-Qaeda
• dictatorship
• Zahid
• Hussein
• Ayesha
• Siddiqa

[zeb120]

At home Musharraf has also cultivated what some call the military-mosque alliance.Washington has given Pakistan at least $10 billion in military and civilian funding since 9/11.

Musharraf has sent 80,000 troops to this region and 700 have been killed.

(Source: The Economist)

Waziristan (bordering Afghanistan)has one hospital bed per 6,000 inhabitants and a 10% literacy rate. More than 80% of the men are educated in the Madrassa and girls not at all.

[sukilop]

comnt below:

By the impeachment of Musharraf new way paved for revival of judiciary & law. Pakistani Constitution needs to be totally revised by a team of retired judges & senior advocates like Aitzaz Ahsan. No protection is given to any sort of investment eg local property , industry or commercial giving way to Qabza Groups for illegal occupying of rented houses etc. This stops the foreign investors basically from investing here resulting in the economical collapse & devaluation of Pak Rupee.

[synergy9000]

It is so sad Benazir is no more she had a vision for prosperous pakistan and she now more than any one else about international polics ,now political movement is kidnapped ,No political leader is on front to save pakistan.We r likely to be divide again in another General era. People has to support democratic forces in pakistan at any cost. new leaders and support for all political forces can save pakistan.we r selling everything for money

[synergy9000]

There r 3 millions Afghan Refugees in Poor pakistan. Pakistan already sacrifice 3 of his Prime Minister because involving in international Politics. As a nation we paksitani want to come out all kind of Fanaticsm and international Politics to save pakistan. Pakistani want to live in peace. General Zia creates Fanaticsm in pakistan beacuse of lust of the foreign money. HE promote Hypocracy in pakistan.Now we need a good Relation with India at any cost to save pakistan