Pakistani voters have sent a clear signal to Musharraf and the PMLQ: Get out! The author pleads for the political leadership to close ranks and provide a united front against the powerful military-led ruling dispensation, and calls on the West to pressure Musharraf into stepping down. The Pakistani people will benefit from the transition to civilian rule, as will the West, who in a democratic Pakistan will have a bulwark against Islamic radicalism, he argues.

• Can Pakistan turn over a new leaf?
  por Sohail Mahmood
• The aftermath of the Benazir assassination in Pakistan’s politics
  por Sohail Mahmood

With the once-postponed elections almost upon us, the PPP is still riding on the crest of a sympathy wave and will most likely come out on top and reach an agreement with Sharif’s party. However, the United States continues to support Musharraf. The author argues that if this misguided trend continues, Islamic radicals could gain a stronger foothold in the region, which would certainly not aid the American-led global war on terror.

• Why Pakistan is a "desirable" state for radical Jihadism
  por Alberto Priego
• The aftermath of the Benazir assassination in Pakistan’s politics
  por Sohail Mahmood

Al Qaeda wants to take control of a country and Pakistan presents some ideal conditions: as neighbors it has Iran, Afghanistan and India; it has a conflict (Cachemir) that is considered universal by the Muslims, and, above all, it has an exit to the Arabian Sea which would close the oil traffic of the Golf monarchies, who are considered by Al Qaeda to be the principal source of corruption. Besides, it has nuclear missiles (Ghauri). Benazir Bhutto represented the only democratic option opposing Pervez Musharraf and the Islamist radicals.

This is not the first time that the Afghan president Hamid Karzai has offered to engage in dialogue with the Taliban, even if it is the first time that support has been shown from the United States and the rest of the international coalition, as well as the Taliban response. In other words: this is the first negotiation, but with conditions (control of the southern provinces, a timetable for the exit of international troops and the liberation of all prisoners). Why is Karzai’s offer being put forth now when the violence is growing and the Taliban control nearly half of Afghanistan?

Amidst all of the current mayhem in Pakistan today, there is much finger pointing as to who was responsible for the assassination of leading opposition candidate Benazir Bhutto, with both Musharraf’s government and Islamist radicals bearing the brunt of the blame. In the meantime, elections have been postponed and Musharraf is trying to remain in power despite widespread domestic opposition, especially from the PPP and the poorer sectors of society. The author argues that fair and free elections are the only way out of this political crisis, and calls upon the West to intervene and ensure that they are carried out.

• Pakistan, a key ally of the United States
  por Sohail Mahmood
• The destabilization of Pakistan
  por Alberto Priego

The author examines the democratic transition in Pakistan and the hopeful transition to civilian rule in the upcoming general elections in January 2008.

• Pakistan, a key ally of the United States
  por Sohail Mahmood
• The destabilization of Pakistan
  por Alberto Priego