Letter to President

February 6, 2004

His Excellency George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Subject: Does General Musharraf deserve unchecked US support?

Mr. President:

As a US Citizen with Pakistani descent, I am concerned about the security breaches and clandestine operations of military brass and governmental security agencies in Pakistan. The recent episode with Dr. A. Q. Khan, a father of nuclear program unfolds the severity of corruption existing in the highest military and bureaucratic ranks in Pakistan.

Your government’s bid on General Musharraf alone requires immediate review. The rising power of Islamic extremists and their penetration in military and civic institutions sends alarming warnings to the supporters of democracy and rule of law in Pakistan. General Musharraf’s continued arrogance against genuinely elected leaders of Pakistan shall not be condoned at all.

The irony being that Ms. Bhutto has always been a victim of religious extremists and pro Al-Qaeda forces, which General Musharraf is pretending to fight. General Musharraf’s government has targeted former prime minister of Pakistan who has been a long time ally of free world and a true champion of democracy in Pakistan. A two-time former prime minister remains in forced exile while separated from her incarcerated husband Senator Asif Zardari for more than seven years. Ms. Bhutto continues to fight laws crafted to single her out and implicate her in manufactured accusations.

In order to keep former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif out of loop, Musharraf has strengthened the anti-democracy clergy in Pakistan. As a result we see an emergence of MMA as a disruptive force in and out side Pakistani parliament. Re-emergence of extremists religious forces in Pakistan poses serious threat to the peace and stability in the region.

During the last few years both Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif and their respective parties have developed very strong working relationship, which is healthy sign for consolidating democracy in Pakistan. Their return to power will defeat religious extremists both at the grassroots and institutional level.

Mr. President: This could all change if US government decides to use its influence on Musharraf to invite Benazir Bhutto to form a government in Pakistan. Dismissal of Jamali’s government, curbing Musharraf’s runaway powers and military interference in politics is the only way to restore democracy and strengthen our friends in Pakistan. Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities under popular civilian control will assure better safeguard against freelance nuclear merchants of Asia.

Mr. President: I beseech you to use your influence on General Musharraf’s regime to remove all roadblocks against the return of Benazir Bhutto to power. His actions are jeopardizing our war against international terrorism thus strengthening enemies of democracy and freedom in the region.

I thank you for your time and kind consideration.

Respectfully,

Iqbal Tareen

224 Tabor Dri      

Arlington, Texas 76002                                      

972.754.7044   Voice