•With reference to your editorial, ‘After 8 years, in general’ , it is very much true that with Musharraf bowing out of office, the Pakistani coalition will have no fig leaf to cover its failure to deliver on promises made to the public during the elections. Now it is worth watching the government’s strategy to combat extremist and fundamentalist forces in the region, and its future cooperation with the US. Moreover, problems between Pakistan and India will continue if it is true that the army has been granted supreme power over security issues by the coalition in the deal to oust Musharraf.

— Satwant Kaur Punjab

Mush misdeeds

• Musharraf has finally been sent packing, after over eight years, after Bhutto’s assassination changed the rules of the game. However, democracy in Pakistan is very weak as it is a nation where dictatorship breeds and the next president will be as corrupt. India should watch political developments across the border carefully. If democracy in Pakistan is to be revived, Musharraf should be tried in court and punished for his misdeeds. That would serve as a lesson to others of his kind.

— S.N. Kabra Mumbai

His woes

• The outgoing dictator, Musharraf, must not be criticised entirely for Pakistan’s current problems. He is not solely responsible for problems of poverty, instability and extremism. He had to juggle between moderates and extremists, who have always dominated Pakistani politics. 9/11 came as a challenge before him when he was forced to accept truck with the US. Nightmares like the Lal Masjid extremism or the Muktaran rape case have constantly marred his presidency. He even faced attempts on his life. Now, following US insistence, Musharraf has been given a way out to avoid further crisis.

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