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IBNLive Chat: Pak govt might not last full term
Published on Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 03:53, Updated at Thu, Mar 27, 2008 in World section
Tags: IBNLive Chat, Rezaul H Laskar
UNEASY PATH: The security situation will be the biggest challenge for new PM Yousuf Raza Gillani.
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Chat Now: With Rezaul H Laskar on Pakistan and its future
Rezaul H Laskar on what Zardari-raj in Pakistan means for India.
Rezaul H Laskar: Hi Anupam. Well, difficult to say if the power of the military has been diluted. It still remains a key player in Pakistan. But in Gen Kayani, Pakistan has a very able Chief of the Army who has taken several decisions to remove the military from the political scenario. These decisions have been appreciated by the people, and for a change, there is a thinking that now the army must focus on itself, its personnel and the security challenges before the country and not on politics. So in the short term, the army is not likely to play a role in politics.
S Malviya: What will be their stand towards terrorism in Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in India? Will the terrorist training camps continue in Pak?
Rezaul H Laskar: I think there is now a growing realisation in Pakistan that terrorists and militants pose a huge danger to the country. There were 70 suicide bombings last year and things have bad this year too. A former prime minister, a general and scores of security personnel have been killed by the suicide attackers, and this has already impacted the policy-makers and the security establishment. All this is bound to lead to a change in the way terrorism is tackled.
KK: Will Zardari and his government interfere in Sarabjit issue and save him?
Rezaul H Laskar: Well, what we have heard is that the main idea behind the postponement of Sarabjit's execution was to give the new government a chance to study this tricky issue. But the new dispensation will decide to put off Sarabjit's hanging is still up in the air. The recent death of a Pakistani national in Indian custody certainly has queered the pitch.
Sriram: Where will Mr. Nawas Sharif feature in this political equation in Pakistan? Will he feature at all or is he just a 12th man in the near future?
Rezaul H Laskar: Interesting question, Sriram. I think a man like Nawaz Sharif can never be a 12th man. He has a very key role to play in the new set-up and besides, he controls the politically-crucial province of Punjab. But I, somehow, get the feeling that Sharif is a man who has his eyes on the next election and on preparing his party for that.
Preetam: Will Zardari and the Pak Army allow the new govt to function?
Rezaul H Laskar: The Pakistan Army has indicated that it wishes to stay out of politics under its new chief Gen Kayani. This will probably give the new government room to manoeuvre and take some tough decisions on a wide range of issues, including the war on terror and relations with India, including the Kashmir dispute.
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Whats the deal with Gilani being the interim prime minister? There were news reports saying that Asif Ali Zardari would
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