'Democracy, even if one finds it flawed, is better for Pak'

KINGMAKER, IS SHE? What awaits Pakistan in the days ahead depends a lot on how Benazir Bhutto takes the elections.

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Rezaul H Laskar: You know, the Partition is a reality. I personally feel (and this is my personal opinion), we should all just accept it and move on. Just before I came to Pakstan, my grandmother said my grandfather had planned to move to Pakistan at the time of Partition, but he didn't because his brother did not want to go. She has no regrets, like a majority of Indian Muslims. We should focus on our own countries. We have too many things to take care of.

Anand: It appears to me Benazir Bhutto is trying to play kingmaker if not herself becoming the king? What's the impression about her among common Pakistanis?

Rezaul H Laskar: Benazir Bhutto is going to be a key player, obviously. Her PPP is the biggest party, and she will have a say in any future set-up. She is keen on being Prime Minister again, but the current laws bar that. So she may be forced to play a larger role from the background. Many common Pakistanis support her, but then her family is one of the best known political entities in the country.

Tamal Mukherjee: As you are thinking that 'no party is expected to win an overwhelming majority' in the coming election, are we gonna witness more chaos and drama in January 2008 in Pakistan? What options Pakistan have if no party gets a majority? President Rule!!

Rezaul H Laskar: Well, everyone seems to think that the chaos will continue. Unless there is a major change before the polls on January 8. And yes 'President's rule' remains an option.

Gokul: Do you think fair election is possible in Pakistan under the leadership of Musharraff ? Is there any point in Sharif abstaining from it?

Rezaul H Laskar: Mr Sharif's demand for the restoration of the judiciary stems from his apprehensions about certain pending corruption cases and his earlier conviction. Thus his move to abstain. But most political parties believe elections under the current dispensation will not be free and fair.

Sreehari: Who do you think will be better for India, Benazir or Nawaz Sharif?

Rezaul H Laskar: India has dealt with both of them in the past. Many diplomats feel it would be better dealing with them again rather than some unknown politician.

Choprasons: I have also read that a number of Pakistanis are actually happy even under Musharraf as a militry President? Is it so? If so why?

Rezaul H Laskar: Interesting question. Like all political leaders, Musharraf too has his supporters. There are websites in his support, there are people who say he helped kickstart economic reforms. You have to remember he was welcomed by many people when he deposed Nawaz Sharif. But many of his recent decisions have been unpopular.

Kuhu Bansal: Is there any possibility that new elected government will reinstate CJ Chowdhary and that all the judgements given taken under PCO be termed as illegal including the validity of election of Mush as President? If the possibility is there, then what will Mr President do?

Rezaul H Laskar: It is extremely unlikely that the President will reinstate Justice Chaudhry, who continues to be under house arrest.

AB: Hi Rezaul, do you think the Opposition parties will do the right thing by boycotting the poll?

Rezaul H Laskar: My personal opinion is that they have valid reasons for the boycott, but I don't think they can keep away if Bhutto goes ahead and contests.

M Vijay Balaji: Are there similar chats, discussions about Indian affairs in Pakistan?

Rezaul H Laskar: You will be surprised...there are. There is a lot of interest, especially in Indian movies. And people are interested in Indian politics and will privately express admiration for our system, despite its flaws.

Rajeev: Rezaul, do Indians like you and other people from outside who live in Pakistan have to live in some kind of uncertainty everyday?

Rezaul H Laskar: A very emphatic no, Rajeev. All the stuff you read about Pakistanis going out of their way to help Indians is by and large true. I had a Pakistani cab driver return my mobile phone which had slipped out of my pocket at 11.30 pm by coming back to my home. I can’t think of that happening in most Indian cities... But obviously you have to take care to respect local traditions and norms.

Tamal Mukherjee: Do you count Imran Khan as No. 3 (after Benazir and Sharif) in Pakistan? How crucial his role will be in the next election?

Rezaul H Laskar: Tamal, Imran is well-respected in India and abroad. But his party doesn't really count. It's just too small. He was in fact its only MP in the last Parliament.