Islamabad Protests

[Nebor]

The Champions of democracy in Washington will be the first to call for sanctions of the army takes over. That's the dad part.

We were perfectly happy to let Musharraf run things.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Also, bloodbath, really?

So far it's been 3 dead; http://news.uk.msn.com/world/three-killed-in-pakistan-clashes

Cut the alarmist and sensational BS.

 

[Braznor]

Much of the problems of Pakistan is due to its army. The Pakistan civilian government is a mere figurehead institution.

Mark my words, if the so called protestors win, it will only worsen the situation in Pakistan further. I refuse to believe that any kind of protests in Pakistan will lead to the betterment of its society.

Pakistan as a nation is doomed to failure and shall return back to the dark age very soon.

 

[iGas]

My condolences to Pakistan, but IMHO this is an internal problem that Pakistanis have to solve it themselves. The tension is not just from lack/poor leadership but also from religious overtone of birth control/family planing that put a strain on resources.

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002940-pakistan-where-population-bomb-exploding

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/24/pakistan-water_n_5703841.html

 

[SandEagle]

Pakistan zindabad!!!!!!!

 

[Michael]

It seems that the OP admits that outside observers basically said that the election was fair. The losing side is trying to win power by marching and protesting instead of winning the election.

I really fail to see how this is a US problem.

Michael

 

[rommelrommel]

It's a world problem if the assclowns in charge lose control of or decide to sell their nukes.

 

[The Green Bean]

Also, bloodbath, really?

So far it's been 3 dead; http://news.uk.msn.com/world/three-killed-in-pakistan-clashes

Cut the alarmist and sensational BS.

Well, there were reports of 7 deaths within 10 minutes of the police response. There is still a fog of war and the protest leaders are saying the police have hidden dead bodies and discharged wounded without removing bullets.

Today, some protestors stormed into the state television building and cut off transmission. The police retreated and army arrived and asked the protestors to leave. The protestors were seen hugging and kissing soldiers while chanting, death to police, long live army. The army did not arrest anyone. The protest leaders are disowning and condemning the attack. Difficult to tell who carried it out.

 

[The Green Bean]

It seems that the OP admits that outside observers basically said that the election was fair. The losing side is trying to win power by marching and protesting instead of winning the election.

I really fail to see how this is a US problem.

Michael

That's not entirely true. The winners, losers and all political parties including the winning party have agreed that these were the most rigged elections in Pakistan's history. They claim to stand with "democracy" by not protesting. My mom witness the rigging first hand when an armed man was beaten up inside the polling booth by voters and handed to security. At my polling stations things were better and the international observes must have been restricted to these stations.

There are videos rigging all over videos. There have been whistleblowers who have come to the media telling their tales. The chief of National ID issuer NADRA was fired apparently for saying that fingerprints of voters can be verified. The government had maintained it's impossible. He hasn't spoken a word since allegedly because of threats.

Anyways, democracy is not when you are ruled by 600 odd families. We have local body elections during Musharraf where people were involved at the grass root level. "Democracy" hasn't held local body elections for 6 years, instead, preferring to leave power with a handful of people.

Nobody has been able to come out and say that the protests were unconstitutional. For 17 days they stayed peaceful.

Yesterday night, the army corps commanders held an emergency meeting. The press statement said:

Rawalpindi - August 31, 2014:

Corps Commander Conference was held at General Headquarters tonight. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif presided over the conference.

While reaffirming support to democracy, the conference reviewed with serious concern, the existing political crisis and the violent turn it has taken, resulting in large scale injuries and loss of lives. Further use of force will only aggravate the problem.

It was once again reiterated that the situation should be resolved politically without wasting any time and without recourse to violent means.

Army remains committed to playing its part in ensuring security of the state and will never fall short of meeting national aspirations.

The army hasn't taken sides despite the chaos. The last sentence perhaps gives an idea of what it's upto.

 

[The Green Bean]

My condolences to Pakistan, but IMHO this is an internal problem that Pakistanis have to solve it themselves. The tension is not just from lack/poor leadership but also from religious overtone of birth control/family planing that put a strain on resources.

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002940-pakistan-where-population-bomb-exploding

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/24/pakistan-water_n_5703841.html

That's what we are asking for. An internal solution without having the world judge us. The moment they hear "army," they start thinking of sanctions. The army won't takeover, but it's not going to be business as usual from now.

 

[Newell Steamer]

while chanting, death to police

So, what type of response was expected, from the very people the 'protesters' want dead?

This thread is all over the place;
- the US needs to do something,.. yet the US is responsible for what is happening
- it's a bloodbath,... yet less than a dozen dead
- the people of Pakistan want peace,... yet they are chanting death threats to the police

Yeah, there is NO way in hell any American should set foot, nor be involved in Pakistan.

Not only is there zero leadership amongst the very people you want saved, but, they themselves have no idea what they want,.. nor do you on what should be done.

I honestly do hope all is well - you clearly want some sort of change. And, you and your people will have to:
1) figure out what that change is
2) figure out how to get to that change
3) pay whatever price is necessary to obtain this change

Good luck and take care.

 

[Jaskalas]

That's what we are asking for. An internal solution without having the world judge us. The moment they hear "army," they start thinking of sanctions. The army won't takeover, but it's not going to be business as usual from now.

I only wish the world was that reasonable.
For what it's worth, we've seen what Anarchy does to Iraq, Libya and Syria. I do not wish that for you, and if the military can keep order then that is best for everyone.

We tend to view the world as black and white... Democracy VS evil. if we've proven anything these past 13 years, Democracy requires more than wishful thinking. The people have to be ready for it, and we missed a step along the way. Until we figure that out, how to transition to stable Democracies, then we've no right to condemn you for trying your best.

 

[brycejones]

Pakitstan is hosed until it gets control of the ISI, establishes sovereignty over the tribal areas so they can no longer be a breeding ground for fundamentalist ass hats, and finally decides the long term success of its people is more important than some perpetual feud with India.

Oh and deal with the corruption that is par for the course in that corner of the world.

 

[rommelrommel]

Pakitstan is hosed until it gets control of the ISI, establishes sovereignty over the tribal areas so they can no longer be a breeding ground for fundamentalist ass hats, and finally decides the long term success of its people is more important than some perpetual feud with India.

Oh and deal with the corruption that is par for the course in that corner of the world.

So it's basically hosed permanently.

 

[Phynaz]

With all the anti-US posts the op has made in the past, I don't give a shit about his problems in Pakistan.

The entire shit hole - and it is a shit hole - can burn down as far as I care.

 

[MongGrel]

...

 

[MongGrel]

Pakistan zindabad!!!!!!!

I'd post the opposing view, but I take it screaming up with Pakistan is allowable and I'd get dinged for saying otherwise.