Your Questions: Ask CBC

My questions are
1) Will this government be able to take bold steps that would make democratic institutions stronger and weaken political interference from military. What solid specific steps one can expect in near future and in long term.

Stephen Puddicombe: Wow put me on the spot why don’t you…

I can say this, the new Prime Minister Yousaf Gilani wrote a book while in prison in which he said he believes in a strong military though one which will not interfere with the government.

One can only take him at his word.

How a government can prevent a military overthrow in a country known for its coups is beyond me.

The people also expect the new government to deal with several pressing issues including power shortages, soaring food prices and terrorism.

Remember back when Musharraf took over, many people in Pakistan liked the idea because they were sick of the problems and corruption.

Despite coming to power via coup, he did do a number of things that were strange for him. He instituted more new newpapers, television and radio stations than any past leader including Bhutto. He created more schools for girls and created jobs.

Don’t get me wrong I am not justifying his rule. He did a number of not so good things as well.

To accomplish this the coalition will have to hang together for a good period of time, something few are betting on.

To actually strengthen institutions, the new government will have to prevent corruption, something few governments here have been able to do.

If people, civil servants, politicians all play on level ground this is achievable, if not same old, same old.

In terms of concrete measures the government is already looking at helping with high food and fuel prices. After that perhaps we will see some measures to protect institutions like the judiciary and others.

2) Will this government turn out to be care taker government executing orders from US, other Western countries and Military and or will it be able to create policies on its own. What specific steps can be expected showing that it is working independently.

Stephen Puddicombe: I think this government will be much more than a care taker government. However, as I have said earlier, the U.S. gives Pakistan hundreds of millions of dollars each year. I don’t think anyone wants to lose that.

I think the big thing that will show the world Pakistan is working independently is how it deals with terrorists or militants in the tribal regions. If it changes path from force to dialogue then it will be obvious it is doing something the Americans are not keen on, and thus would be considered an independent policy. Or better yet, if Pakistan turns down the American annual cash infusion, that would be another sign. However, I can’t see that happening.

I think the vast majority of people here are sick and tired of the extremism that has taken so many innocent lives. There appears to be a true sense of renewal and hope (as corny as that sounds).

Even tribal leaders are offering to work with the new government despite threats by the Taliban, so who knows.

But it does looking promising.

Cheers.

Will the U.S. find that this new president is as mallable as Musharraf?

Stephen Puddicombe: Right now there is a lot of tough talk from the new Pakistani government and how it will deal with terrorism. Leaders of the two major parties in the coalition have said Musharraf’s way of fighting the militants with brute force has not worked and now it is time to change paths.

Nawaz Sharif has said if you have a problem in your family you don’t kill the family member, you talk.

There are two points about this attitude. The Americans give Pakistan hundreds of millions of dollars each year to fight terrorism, something I am sure they don’t want to lose.

Also, both Sharif and Bhutto’s widow Zidari hate, absolutely hate, Musharraff. They have shown that over-and-over with a major snub coming when they refused to attend the new Prime Minister’s swearing in last week.

If cooler heads, like the New PM Yousaf Gilani, prevail then I think there will be some change but all in all the Americans will still more than likely have a strong ally in Pakistan.

Watch for extra cash being put into the pot to seal the deal.

Charlene Smith: Do you not find the resemblence uncanny in the female representive who looks like Bhutto?

She may be used as a means of reincarnation as that is widely accepted in that country.

Stephen Puddicombe: I am assuming you mean the speaker Fehmida Mirza, the business woman and medical doctor. I think these days in Pakistan, everyone sees a little of Benazir Bhutto in themselves and others.

What are the result of Scotland Wards investigation into the murder of Ms. Butho (I hope I spelled her name right)

Stephen Puddicombe: The Scotland Yard anti- terrorist team that came to Pakistan were here to assist local authorities in establishing the cause and circumstances of Ms Bhutto's death.

The wider investigation to establish culpability has remained entirely a matter for the Pakistani authorities.
No post mortem was conducted; therefore, investigators had to rely on testimony from doctors and family members who washed the body before burial.

The person in charge of this aspect of the investigation concluded Ms Bhutto's only apparent injury was a major trauma to the right side of the head. The Pakistani medical staff only took one x-ray after Bhutto’s assassination, it was of her head. There was no evidence of an entry or exit wound. The experts did agree they could not rule out the possibility of a shot to the neck or lower part of the body because it was not examined.

The investigator gave this quote in the final report: "in my opinion Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto died as a result of a severe head injury sustained as a consequence of the bomb-blast and due to head impact somewhere in the escape hatch of the vehicle."

Scotland Yard investigators also concluded that there was only one attacker. There were some who believed there were two attackers. However, only body parts from one individual remain unidentified.

Also television footage of the assassination, although fuzzy, does not show a bomber and a shooter.

The Pakistani government have arrested five people, including a fifteen-year-old boy, as the assassin team instructed to kill Bhutto. All have apparenty confessed to their roles.

The Pakistani government has blamed Taliban rebel leader Baitullah Mehsud, who is based in the troubled region of South Waziristan, for masterminding the assassination of Ms Bhutto.

He has denied any involvement.

Their cases are still before the courts.