[vsdoc]

I dont know guys. As Pakistanis obviously you would have a better handle on things. But allow an Indian to explain how he sees things.

Much as the liberals and elite / educated amongst you would like to see Pakistan as a democracy, it is not in Pakistan's interest to be one.

The ship has sailed. The horse (or donkey) has bolted my friends. You have neither the luxury of the time or the resources or a world sanctioned honeymoon period where we look the other way as Pakistan continues its on today off tomorrow bumbling affair with democracy.

Just as the sun will rise, so too must it set. With similar certainty will we see the star appearances of Pakistan's feudo-civvy polity while the army catches its breath and prepares ground for its inevitable return.

You may like to diss Musharaf but from the sidelines the way i see it, your cupboard is starkly bare. And at the risk of flogging a long dead and now putrefying horse, and looking at your current and past civilian leaders your options are really not that great.

You need to see what fits you best. And what Pakistan needs today is uninterrupted leadership with the continuity of vision, policy, and direction that would bring. Your army, whatever other ills may plague it, is also at least used to order and discipline and getting things done. with a heavy hand should it warrant one.

Not for "mercurial" (for want of a more polite and politically correct term) Pakistani society is the back and forth of debate and consensus and compromise that is part and parcel of every functional democracy. Pakistanis for too long have suckled at the teat of authoritarian absolute power, and weaning them at this delicate stage from the warm wholesome goodness of that would be counterproductive and plunge the country further into anarchy.

Cheers, Doc