NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Kashmiri Separatists, People Watching Pak Developments

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Aug 10: As Pakistan president, Parvez Musharraf weighs options regarding imposition of an emergency, separatist leaders and the people in restive Kashmir are closely and keenly monitoring the fast changing developments in the neighbouring country.

The Kashmiri separatist leader of the hardline separatist conglomerate, Syed Ali Shah Geelani said that Pakistani people should not allow the imposition of emergency in their country. He said that people of Pakistan should rise against Musharraf so that he is unable to impose emergency and get himself re-elected.

Terming the present situation in Pakistan as "tragic", the hardline Kashmiri leader said, "Developments in Pakistan are neither in the interest of the people of that country nor those of Kashmir. A strong Pakistan is not only important for the people of Pakistan, but also for the people of Kashmir and the whole Muslim world".

He alleged that America wants to crush the Muslim in Pakistan through Musharraf in the name of fighting Al-Qaida and Taliban.

The chairman of the moderate faction of the separatist conglomerate, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that Pakistani government is the best judge whether to impose an emergency in its country or not keeping in view the internal and external threats.

Mirwaiz, who has met Musharraf several times and supports him, said, "From here we cannot say whether the Pakistani government imposes emergency or not. They can take the decision that suits them. We want that the democratic rights of the people should be safeguarded in that country".

He also felt that a strong Pakistan is very important for Kashmiris and their struggle against India.

The pro-India chief minister of the strife torn state of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad said Pakistan's internal bickering impacted the Indo-Pak peace process. "Due to the internal bickering and weak command in Pakistan, the ongoing peace process has received a major setback," he said.

A teacher in Kashmir University said that Pakistani president, Parvez Musharraf should not impose emergency in Pakistan. "Musharraf is on a dicey wicket and if he decides to impose emergency, this may lead to civil disobedience across Pakistan", he said.

A banker, Riyaz Ahmad believes that the developments in Pakistan are leading to emergency. "If the internal strife within Pakistan continues, then Musharraf will have no option but to declare emergency and the United States may support him in that case", the banker said.

A businessman at Residency Road, Lal Chowk in the summer capital, Srinagar, Mohammad Jabbar said, "Reinstating of the Chief Justice has came as a severe jolt to General Musharraf. Now former Pakistan premier, Nawaz Sharif has moved Pakistan Supreme court and if he is allowed to enter Pakistan, this may plunge Pakistan into further crisis, pushing Musharraf to impose emergency".

A youth from downtown Nowhatta, Aijaz Ahmad, however, was supportive of Musharraf. Aijaz said that military leaders have served Pakistan most while the democratically elected regimes have been corrupt and leading to anarchy. He said that if the internal situation in Pakistan demands emergency, Musharraf should not shy away from it. He should impose emergency for the larger interests of the people of Pakistan.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.