Open letter to US Congress and Senate

Dear Congress and US Senate,

I have been aware of the latest developments in Pakistan. I urge the congress to exert pressure on Pakistani government to restore human rights. US's unconditional backing of President Musharaf's regime to help US's war on terrorism is now unacceptable.

US Congress and senate should support the people of Pakistan and not support one man. President Musharaf is now the most unpopular figure in the entire Country. He has banned the media, arrested the lawyer community and arrested majority of political workers. He has imposed ban on political movement when elections are around the corner. Judiciary is under house arrest and his puppet judiciary is in the courts, totally non-functional.
How does US government believe that this will help its war against terrorism in Pakistan. War against terrorism will be best fought by a political and democratic government in Pakistan.

Unless there is an extreme pressure from US Government, Mr. Musharaf will not stop his brutality. Please know that situation in Pakistan is way worst then ever before in its 60 years history. The reaction by Pakistanis is also way different from ever in the Past. If Unites States would like to restore its image in Pakistan, now is the best time to exert pressure on Pakistani Musharaf's regime.

USA should exert pressure on following points:

1. Unconditional lifting of emergency and restoration of the Constitution.
2. Lifting of ban on Media, new Prema Ordinance is unacceptable by the Media both internationally and in Pakistan.
3. Roll back of Judiciary to its state as of Nov 2, 2007.
4. Formation of free and fair Election Commission by consensis with all political parties
5. Release of all political prisoners including Imran Khan, Itizaz Ahsan and others.

US is welcoming the announcement of elections from Mr. Musharaf. However US Government needs to ponder upon what kind of elections will be held when major political leaders are either outside of Pakistan or under arrest. What kind of elections will be held when there is a biased election commission and a puppet judiciary. What kind of elections will be held when there is no freedom of movement both for political parties and normal citizens.

Please know that the majority of Pakistanis believe that this emergency was imposed only for the savior of Musharaf's office as he was afraid of the decision coming from the supreme court. US Government should understand and listen to the voice of Pakistan and Pakistanis around the world and exert unconditional pressure on Musharaf's regime.

I thank you for your time and I hope you agree with my point of view.

I also request entire US Pakistani Citizens to contact their congressman and senators and request them to exert pressure on Pakistani government.

President Musharaf's Press Conference

President Musharaf on his latest press conference held Nov 11, 2007 looked very agitated and edgy. He failed to give one solid and legitimate reason for his so called "Emergency". He said that this emergency was necessary so that Army could be deployed in the Swat region. However Pakistani Constitution allows the deployment of Pakistan Armed Forces in any province on the request of the Chief Minister. Chief Minister of NWFP has previously requested the deployment of PAK Army in various areas and Army was deployed. Hence President's justification of Emergency just because Army deployment was needed is baseless. He could have easily deployed Army without the proclamation of Emergency.

He also said that he went into various discussions with Civil Society before making a decision on Emergency, he failed to name who though. I am not sure what his definition of Civil Society is, I hope he does not mean his cabinet. None of the Civil Society in Pakistan was consulted, Civil Society has denied it itself and even if they were consulted, they would have never suggested him in the favor of his actions.

He also said that emergency was needed as Judiciary was acting against the government and it was making the government hard to function. In any civilized Nation, it is the requirement of the judiciary to keep checks and balances on the government. Judiciary's actions were the direct results of governments wrongdoings. President mentioned that "only few people" in the judiciary were to be blamed. If we take him for his words then how come majority of judges refused to take oath under the new PCO. Even those who took oath were forced, bribed and manipulated.

On various occasions during the Press Conference, President kept on emphasizing that he wants to clear the doubts of International Media and governments overseas. Even during the question answer session, he was leaning towards talking to international media. This is so shameful for Pakistan that our own President is way more concerned about clearing the doubts of international community and does not even care of his own people. It looked like, he was trying to portray a liberal and honest image of himself in front of international community, setting aside what his own community thinks of himself.