Pakistan

Twitter Alert: Memogate and fears for democracy

Pakistani Twitterati react to the memo published online which alleges fears of a military takeover.

Web Desk November 18, 2011

The memo that some factions of the media and Pakistani American Mansoor Ijaz claim was sent from President Zardari to Adm Mike Mullen contains a request to convey a “strong, urgent and direct message to Gen Kayani” that communicates Washington's demand for him and ISI chief General Shuja Pasha to “end their brinkmanship aimed at bringing down the civilian apparatus".

Here's what the Twitterati had to say about the document that was published online today:

ShibilSiddiqi

Just explained to some non-Pakistani friends why a coup against Pak army is more controversial than coup against elected govt. They ROFLed.

NadeemfParacha

Military intervention in politics namanzoor! Rather na-Mansoor.

NadeemfParacha

Old hemlock in a new bowl: A letter allegedly written by BB to a US senator was waved by the establishment to dismiss her govt in1989.

shahidsaeed

RIP Democracy. March 2008 - November 2011. Picking up my copy of the why-we-need-democracy arguments handbook for blogs

samishah

To be fair, Civilian govt. trying save itself from coup is like a beaten wife trying to stop abusive husband. Yet somehow, we blame her.

samishah

cant sms curse words, cant watch porn on the internet and cant even send a memo to US asking for help overthrowing the army. #censorship

umairjav

Look at the timing of the leak: Before the Senate elections, PTI is warming up, Army-US relations are at a low ebb. #HOR #CHUPO

umairjav

Field day for army in the press. The memo gets translated into Urdu. The entire country will be shown how "zardari was selling out Pakistan"

AliDayan

Elements opposed to civilian rule constitutionalism in Pakistan sense an opportunity to subvert all the gains since 2008

AliDayan

If a dubious "scandal" played up by dubious elements in the media is used to derail democracy, it will be a terrible shame for #pakistan

Saba_Imtiaz

If the memo is true - didn't the civs realise they could have pulled this off just capitalising on anti-army/ISI criticism after May 2?

majorlyprofound

OUTRAGED that someone could write a letter asking our Armed phorces to be answerable to Civilian government.

COMMENTS (7)

Jawad | 13 years ago | Reply

twitter alert ? the people youve quoted are paranoid about the military 24/7 and NadeemfParacha has openly admitted he wants to divide pakistan, and has nighrmares about Allama Iqbal in his sleep

rehmat | 13 years ago | Reply

@Ali Wazir, @The: "Has anyone read the memo?? "

I think these people (as well as I) have trouble believing that Mansoor Ijaz was working for Zardari/Haqqani. If he was working on a secret mission for them, why would he write the Financial times op/ed?

True if this memo was written by HH then it is traitorous. But by looking at how absurd it is, it is more likely to be a false flag oepration by army and ISI to regain people's respect after having lost credibility in the last few months.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Mohammad Naeem | 13 years ago | Reply

"Article itself" VS "comments on it"

well-informed INTELEGESIA VS ill-informed AWAM!!

THE | 13 years ago | Reply Have they even read WHAT is written on the memo?

Ali Wazir | 13 years ago | Reply Lol Someone explain to me how can anyone defend this. Has anyone read the memo?? It allows for US raids, overflights handing over the nuclear program to their "Safeguards". Is this the idea of "democracy" of NFP, SS????. Secret memos between un-elected men in Washington abdicating all policy decisions to a foreign power.???? This is the most shameful thing ever concocted. This is treachery pure and simple. And all this nonsense of the ISI instigating this come on, please stop insulting our intelligence. Its being played out in the foreign press (FP, FT). And no one can accuse Mansoor Ijaz being a ISI patsy.Its pretty embarkations for the Army as well. It seems he had a falling out with former friend Hussain Haqqani and is now spilling the beans. These people need to be rounded up and be put in front of the court for treason. I personally dont think Zardari was fully involved, or understood what was going on.(Thats giving to much credit). Caretaker government and election in 3 months that is the only way out of this....

CommonSense | 13 years ago | Reply Once again the liberals are on the wrong side of the debate. And then they cry about being in the minority and not being able to connect with the masses. Only the army is capable of the worst. Arrogant lot!

Sirat-ul-mustaqeem | 13 years ago | Reply

Wow, a list of extremist liberals' tweets. That was such a piece of art. Anyway the fact remains is that this democracy you are talking about has tried to damage its own Security agencies who are day and night giving sacrifices for this country. I do not care any more for this democracy for whom i was a big supporter few days back. Traitors must be brought to justice...

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