India's neighbours in the news
Pakistan is dealing with the the possible return of former Prime Minister's Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto.
Both exiled ex-PMs Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif will be back in Pakistan by October and running for re-re-re-election in December. And that, gentle readers, couldn’t be better news - the election, ie, not Bhutto or Sharif in power again! But as I have said many times, let the people choose.
What does it all mean? In terms of internal politics of Pakistan, this is tremendous news for the resurgent democratic movement in Pakistan. The full participation of the many political parties - including the Bhuttos and Sharifs - will guarantee that Pakistan start recovering from the despotic military regime. However, that is easier said than done. The military, under Musharraf, has become the largest land-owning, asset-controlling entity in Pakistan with ex- and current military officials serving across the civil and social landscape. How can that military be coaxed “back into the barracks”? It is quite probable that there are forces within the military eager to curtail their political vulnerabilities. The popular image of the military in Pakistani society has underwent tremendous change in recent years - from a highly valued and respected institution (the only “corruption-free” one) to a hegemonic and undesirable presence. I could argue that the military’s own interests lie in withdrawing from the political realm and re-burnishing its image and standing. Of course, the defense budget remains the highest expenditure in the country and no successive civil government will change that. By and large, the military cannot lose by “giving democracy back” to the country. That was, after all, what Musharraf claimed when he took control
Bangladesh has student's demonstrating the emergency rule imposed by the military backed government.
Security forces patrolled the quiet streets of six cities Thursday, enforcing an indefinite curfew imposed by the military-backed government to quell unrest by students demanding an end to emergency rule in Bangladesh.
The curfew, imposed Wednesday on the largest cities in the country after days of street violence, cleared cities of protesters, forced residents to stay home and temporarily shut down mobile phones.
Cell phone service was restored early Thursday. Authorities eased the curfew for three hours in the afternoon, giving people a chance to shop for food and other necessities, but the streets began emptying again as night fell.
Streets were empty of cars, and security forces were stopping anyone out walking or taking tricycle rickshaws.
There were no signs of protests, but some residents of Dhaka expressed unease.
``We're suffering a lot, we don't expect such a situation in the country,'' Abdul Malek Chowdhury, a former army officer, told The Associated Press. ``We've passed through many troubled months in recent past, we're passing through the same old thing even now.''
The curfew order came on the third day of unrest after students, whose protests had been largely confined to university campuses, spilled into the streets of Dhaka, burning cars and buses and battling with security forces. One person was killed and hundreds were injured, local media reported.
The interim government now running Bangladesh is doing so with the backing of the military, which ruled the country throughout the 1980s. Officials say elections will be held in late 2008.
Burma has had protests often led by women, criticizing the doubling of fuel prices.
About 200 people marched in Rangoon in the rare demonstration, but dispersed after a number were bundled into cars and driven away.
A similar protest was held on Sunday, the largest such rally in a decade.
The junta arrested at least 13 activists before Wednesday's protest, including some of the nation's most prominent dissidents.
The latest protest took place on the northern outskirts of Rangoon.
The demonstrators, most of them women, were cheered by onlookers as they marched in defiance of the junta's strict controls on protests.
"We are marching to highlight the economic hardship that Myanmar (Burma) people are facing now, which has been exacerbated by the fuel price hike," one protester told the Associated Press news agency.
Their path was blocked by supporters of the junta and plain-clothed officers, witnesses said, and the rally dispersed as up to 10 demonstrators were bundled into cars and driven off.
Last week's fuel price rises left many people struggling to find the money to travel to work.
Both exiled ex-PMs Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif will be back in Pakistan by October and running for re-re-re-election in December. And that, gentle readers, couldn’t be better news - the election, ie, not Bhutto or Sharif in power again! But as I have said many times, let the people choose.
What does it all mean? In terms of internal politics of Pakistan, this is tremendous news for the resurgent democratic movement in Pakistan. The full participation of the many political parties - including the Bhuttos and Sharifs - will guarantee that Pakistan start recovering from the despotic military regime. However, that is easier said than done. The military, under Musharraf, has become the largest land-owning, asset-controlling entity in Pakistan with ex- and current military officials serving across the civil and social landscape. How can that military be coaxed “back into the barracks”? It is quite probable that there are forces within the military eager to curtail their political vulnerabilities. The popular image of the military in Pakistani society has underwent tremendous change in recent years - from a highly valued and respected institution (the only “corruption-free” one) to a hegemonic and undesirable presence. I could argue that the military’s own interests lie in withdrawing from the political realm and re-burnishing its image and standing. Of course, the defense budget remains the highest expenditure in the country and no successive civil government will change that. By and large, the military cannot lose by “giving democracy back” to the country. That was, after all, what Musharraf claimed when he took control
Bangladesh has student's demonstrating the emergency rule imposed by the military backed government.
Security forces patrolled the quiet streets of six cities Thursday, enforcing an indefinite curfew imposed by the military-backed government to quell unrest by students demanding an end to emergency rule in Bangladesh.
The curfew, imposed Wednesday on the largest cities in the country after days of street violence, cleared cities of protesters, forced residents to stay home and temporarily shut down mobile phones.
Cell phone service was restored early Thursday. Authorities eased the curfew for three hours in the afternoon, giving people a chance to shop for food and other necessities, but the streets began emptying again as night fell.
Streets were empty of cars, and security forces were stopping anyone out walking or taking tricycle rickshaws.
There were no signs of protests, but some residents of Dhaka expressed unease.
``We're suffering a lot, we don't expect such a situation in the country,'' Abdul Malek Chowdhury, a former army officer, told The Associated Press. ``We've passed through many troubled months in recent past, we're passing through the same old thing even now.''
The curfew order came on the third day of unrest after students, whose protests had been largely confined to university campuses, spilled into the streets of Dhaka, burning cars and buses and battling with security forces. One person was killed and hundreds were injured, local media reported.
The interim government now running Bangladesh is doing so with the backing of the military, which ruled the country throughout the 1980s. Officials say elections will be held in late 2008.
Burma has had protests often led by women, criticizing the doubling of fuel prices.
About 200 people marched in Rangoon in the rare demonstration, but dispersed after a number were bundled into cars and driven away.
A similar protest was held on Sunday, the largest such rally in a decade.
The junta arrested at least 13 activists before Wednesday's protest, including some of the nation's most prominent dissidents.
The latest protest took place on the northern outskirts of Rangoon.
The demonstrators, most of them women, were cheered by onlookers as they marched in defiance of the junta's strict controls on protests.
"We are marching to highlight the economic hardship that Myanmar (Burma) people are facing now, which has been exacerbated by the fuel price hike," one protester told the Associated Press news agency.
Their path was blocked by supporters of the junta and plain-clothed officers, witnesses said, and the rally dispersed as up to 10 demonstrators were bundled into cars and driven off.
Last week's fuel price rises left many people struggling to find the money to travel to work.
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