Bloggers want Imran or Bhagwandas as President

Islamabad: If Pakistani bloggers could have their way, they would have cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan or former judge Rana Bhagwandas as their next president, though there are some die-hard fans of incumbent Pervez

Musharraf who would prefer him to "stay on forever".

Though several names were thrown up in response to a post titled "Who should be the next President?" on pakistaniat.com, Khan and Bhagwandas, the lone Hindu judge to reach the highest echelons of Pakistan's judiciary, emerged as clear favourites.

Khan, who has a "clean image", was preferred by many bloggers though some thought he was too "politically naive" to be the president.

Kamran, who blogs at pakistaniat.com, batted for Khan: "If (President Pervez) Musharraf has to go, then definitely Imran Khan." Another blogger Zakoota wrote, "Musharaf will never go. However, I think Imran Khan is the best choice."

Bhagwandas was a favourite in the discussion initiated by a blogger named Temporal. "If India can have a Muslim president, why can't Pakistan have a Hindu or Christian (president)? I know our constitution may not allow this -- why not first amend that?" wrote a blogger who logs in as Poalee.

Dakar seconded Poalee's suggestion and said Bhagwandas would make a good president. "He would be an excellent choice not because he is from a minority but because he has proved his democratic credentials and stands for principles."

Other front-runners for the post in the virtual world are deposed Supreme Court Chief Justice Iktikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, top lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, former premier and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

Even though names of presidential hopefuls came up for discussion on the website, there was no dearth of Musharraf fans.

Abana Samuel wrote, "Minorities should be given a chance. But at the moment I think President Pervez Musharraf is doing an excellent job. He is the man. President Musharaff is the best."

Another fan of the military ruler said: "I hope Musharraf stays on forever. I trust this man 100 per cent."

Temporal suggested Chaudhry's name for the top job: "Zardari has reservations about restoring him to the bench and Sharif has made his restoration the cornerstone of his campaign. So the best compromise would be to ease him into presidency —vakil bhee khush, quam bhee khush."

However, a blogger named Malique disagreed. "Iftikhar as president will not be a good choice because we want an independent judiciary more than we want a gift-for-all president."

Usman Khan wrote that rules should be amended to allow a non-Muslim to be elected as president of Pakistan. So did Adnan Ahmad. "I have thought of this man (Bhagwandas) for this post. He is honest, has a clean track record and has shown real character in the face of serious adversity," Ahmad wrote.

"In a land where we can still hope for a true change, Justice Bhagwandas would be an excellent choice."