euro|topics - What path for Pakistan?

10/01/2009

Español

Tema destacado del Martes, 19. Agosto 2008

What path for Pakistan?

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has resigned, forestalling impeachment proceedings instituted by the new government under Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistani People's Party, and the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Europe's press discusses the uncertain future of the nuclear power Pakistan.

The Guardian - Gran Bretaña

The Guardian writes that the new leaders of Pakistan bring the country no closer to stability: "But although he has finally bowed out - there remained no other option once both the army and the US refused to back his bid to stay in power - Pakistan is not really in any condition to be euphoric. Suicide bombings are rampant, the Taliban have control over parts of the country, and the economy is in free fall. ... Zardari and Sharif have given the nation ample reason in the past to deeply mistrust their governance. ... So great is their unpopularity that there exists a vociferous segment of Pakistani society that continues to believe that Musharraf was the better option. ... But even among the strongest supporters of democracy there is anxiety about what tomorrow brings. The removal of Musharraf means Sharif and Zardari no longer have common cause, and the jostling for power between them is likely to get very ugly, just when the country most needs them to put aside personal enmities and deal with the problems at hand. ... The fragility of Pakistan's democracy makes the months ahead particularly perilous. If things get worse, as they may well do, it will be easy to blame democracy itself." (19/08/2008)

Jyllands-Posten - Dinamarca

The resignation of the Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf holds out hope for the entire country, writes the Jyllands-Posten: "The situation is also critical for the US. America's support for Musharraf was greatly frowned upon in Pakistan. Now the US must take a clear stand towards a new president and his attitude to the US. But one thing is clear. Musharraf's resignation brings new hope for Pakistan. For the first time in years there is now the chance that Pakistan will become a democratic state and that its citizens will attain the rights to which they are entitled." (19/08/2008)

El Mundo - España

El Mundo newspaper calls on the West to encourage Pakistan's stability following the resignation of President Musharraf. "For years Musharraf was the main US ally in the fight against Islamic fundamentalism in the region. But his fall was clearly foreseeable from the moment he refused to implement the democratic reforms demanded of him. Added to that was his inability to fight the Taliban, which was able to act unhindered along the long mountainous border with Afghanistan and keep the Nato forces stationed there in check. For the international community, much is at stake in Pakistan, both because of its geostrategic position and because it is the sole nuclear power with an Islamic majority. For these reasons the West should commit itself with full force to the stabilisation and democratisation of the country, above all because al-Qaida has long been trying to destabilise it." (19/08/2008)

Die Presse - Austria

For Austrian daily Die Presse, the political career of Pakistan's former President Pervez Musharraf has not yet ended: "Can things ... only get better? Yes, because with the departure of Musharraf, who was chief of staff for many years, the first step has been taken towards getting Pakistan out of a permanent crisis. Musharraf, allegedly a close ally of the US in the fight against terror, had long since become a liability for everyone: in recent times he showed little respect for the country's democratic institutions, the independence of its judiciary and its civil society, and he ultimately failed in the battle against militant Islamists. All Musharraf can do now is try to save face. For the ex-general and now also ex-president knows only too well that in Pakistani politics a comeback can never be ruled out. Nawaz Sharif was prime minister before he was exiled to Saudi Arabia - today he is once again among those pulling the strings in Islamabad. So can Musharraf also hope to return to power - perhaps a couple of years from now?" (19/08/2008)

» de toda la revista de prensa del Martes, 19. Agosto 2008

Marcar esta página con