Pervez Musharraf has fled the court premises after the court ordered his arrest. This comes after his nomination papers to stand for the coming elections were rejected by the country's Election Commission. Is all of this politically motivated? Or is there a genuine case against him? Pakistani political analyst Ayesha Siddiqa joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on the issue.
Q. Given the type of rule of law in Pakistan will Pervel Musharraf go like Mr Bhutto? Asked by: chennailawyer
A. Bhutto was a civilian politician, Musharraf is a military dictator who doesn't have the moral courage to bear consequences of his acts or the conviction to suffer the way Bhutto did. The country is not at a stage where they could hang a military dictator.
Q. What motivated the fmr general to come back to Pakistan even after having several pending cases against him and even after the country backing honest people like Mr Imran khan? Asked by: pallavi
A. I think the old general just got bored gulping whiskey and playing bridge outside Pakistan. As a dictator he clearly suffers from delusion of being relevant when he is not. He is a security burden for the state and a moral burden for his institution, the military.
Q. Will arrest of Musharraf trigger a pro-army wave in Pakistan. Asked by: siddarth pai
A. No pro-army wave in the country because majority of Pakistan does not like the dictator. This is something that people and policymakers in India must understand that Musharraf no longer sells in Pakistan. What may happen though is discomfort and divide within the armed forces that must be under the burden of securing their former chief
Q. What are the chances of Pervez Musharraf fleeing the country? Is it Possible at all? Asked by: Prasanna
A. I hope he doesn't manage to flee but we cannot rule it out. His name is on the exit control list which means that legally he cannot escape. Now it depends on the negotiations between the military and the judiciary. Lets see hos the Supreme Court behaves and whether he grabts him pre-arrest bail after his recent escape from the High Court premises.
Q. What exactly is going on? Is there any possibility of 100 percent democracy returning in the next couple of decades? Asked by: pc
A. Yes, democracy can return. People must realize that currently Pakistan is a democracy in transition which is always weak. A few more changes and things will improve.
Q. Which party do you think can pull Pakistan out of this crisis? Please give an honest answer. Asked by: rahul
A. The permanent establishment in Pakistan historically sup[ported a patronage based political system. Now they seem to be selling a different about a clean Pakistan. I am sure that given a chances parties who plan to survive will kick back and improve performance. However, PPP is the weakest in terms of having capacity to change. PTI makes claims with all the old guard as its leadership. The issue is less about which party but about society's capacity to demand change.
Q. What are the chances of success for PPP in the elections? Will such a situation be in favour of Chinese interest on Pakistan? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. PPP could make coalition. This is one scenario but for which lot of people are not hopeful. The other possibility is that it will be able to make coalition government in Sindh province. Nevertheless, whoever makes the government in Pakistan China is everyone's favorite. All parties will deal with it.
Q. Why is it that Zardari has been unable to punish his wife's assassins despite being in power? Asked by: Neethi, Sydney
A. Because he was busy cutting deals and making them partner in power.
Q. If Election results are mixed and no single party is able to form next government in Pakistan,will Musharraf and his Party play a kingmaker role? Asked by: Hamid
A. You got to be joking. Musharraf has no relevance anywhere but perhaps in India. He has no political value in today's Pakistan.
Q. Isn't this something that former president would have expected? What exactly he wants to achieve by returning to Pakistan? Asked by: Ricky
A. He thought he could win and was told so by minions. Just think about it. He is an old dictator on heavy dozes of whiskey every day and thinks he is relevant when he is not. His papers have been rejected by the Election Commission and his party has disintegrating.
Q. With Nawaz sharif, Pervez Musharraf, Asif Ali Zardari, all facing court cases and tough stance of the court,where is the Democracy in Pakistan headed to? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Democracy does not grow on trees. Conditions are challenging but the circus will eventually help in maturing of the democratic system.
Q. Within next five years any possibilities of dramatic improvements in Pakistan's relationship with India which will bring peace to the continent? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. There is not a single political party in Pakistan that does not want to improve relations with India, especially after the 1990s. PML-N wants improvement. The issue is that which party will be there on the scene that can engage with and challenge the military's power and/or convince the army to reduce its resistance to India.
Q. Does the present situation in Pakistan give any hopes for Ex Cricketer Imran to com to power? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Perhaps, not these elections but may be he does. His chances could improve in coming years.
Q. The actions of Judiciary and Election Commission seem to be impartial,, in Pakistan. Does this get support of the international community? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. The international community seems silent.
Q. Stinking in jail or playing bridge in foreign land...Mr Musharraf chose the first option. Your thoughts ma'am? Asked by: nikhil
A. Foreign land definitely :)
Q. Of late assassinations of politicians in Pak has increased. Your take on this.. Asked by: Swami,Malaysia
A. He is not going to be the one assassinated. He is a military dictator. I find it so interesting as the rest of the world that the only ones assassinated are those that have taken on the military.
Q. Is everything OK in PPP? Why did the Bilawal flee and why did he return back? Asked by: Raksha
A. Bilawal fleeing is a PPP made story. I just traveled around Sindh and my conclusion is that people are generally pro-Bhutto but turning increasingly anti-PPP. It is now a party controlled by Zardar is with little passionate touch towards the people of the Bhuttos. The ordinary people in Sindh, unlike in other provinces, may still vote for the PPP. But it is a party with little future. Zardari is a true slum dog millionaire
Q. What is the chance of Imran Khans party in the election? Asked by: Rakka
A. scenario one that he may be able to make a coalition but most possibly he may not. People are not confident of him unlike what is being suggested through the media
Q. Had he fleded from Pakistan by any way.. Asked by: Rohit
A. Didn't understand the question.
Q. The report is contradicted saying that Pervez has been taken to safe place. What is the real position? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. He has been taken to his farm house that has high walls.
Q. What will be the effect of outcome of Pakistan elections on the future of Afganisthan? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. I believe that the army will hope to get the coalition in Islamabad that helps it sort out 2014.
Q. Taliban supports whom in Pakistan? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Not clearly a party but more support to Imran Khan, JUI-F and PML-N. In fact, recently the TTP had suggested PML-N and JUI as two parties to negotiate with the government.
Q. Will USA or Saudi again come to rescue of Pervez Musharraf? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. It may. I think they will try to negotiate.
Q. A political risk taken by former ruler is likely to be a wrong one, in his return to the country? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. I think it was a bad decision and he should suffer for it.
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