Deep-Insight

Benazir Bhutto became the latest in line to loose her life to the chaos currently going on in Pakistan. Let’s see what Pakistan has seen in the last decade corrupt politicians, a failed proxy war, one ousted government, military rule, emergency and now assassination of one of the two main leaders of Pakistan making reestablishment of true democracy a very unattainable job. The current state of Pakistan is a government puppet judiciary, a highly unpopular president who is trying very hard to please USA for all the economic aid he is getting in return of his cooperation against terrorism and opposing him are not only the terrorist and religious extremists but also those demanding complete democracy. So General is in a corner where he has no other options but to continue what he is doing.

Now all those supporting “complete democracy” in Pakistan may not agree with this but Musharraf is the best hope Pakistan has got. Let us consider first what will happen if Musharraf agrees to transfer power to a fully democratic government then what. Democratic governments as we all know runs on a populist vote and who is going to vote in Pakistan, the very same extremist who have quite a following in Pakistan and have historically influenced Pakistan’s politicians, military and have tight knots with ISI. So there is that scenario which we should keep in mind while regarding situation in Pakistan. Ok, let’s say that the new government which is formed in Pakistan does not supports the extremist view and continues working alongside USA in the “War Against Terror”. What we’d be doing is to divide the power and decision making ability from one to many heads, which on the surface seems good because it provides balanced decisions taking into account everyone’s view. But considering the state currently in Pakistan that would be a move in wrong direction. Conditions are so chaotic right now, suicide attacks have become order of the day, there have been several attempts on the President’s life and now assassination of Benazir Bhutto former Prime Minister and a top leader of Pakistan.

A strong hand is what really is needed in Pakistan and this does not mean that this is not a permanent solution but a temporary measure until situation has subsided a bit. During this time many rights would be curtailed and misused in favor of the government but that is the cost which has to be paid. No government is an ideal one neither is this one but at least it is still working in the right direction. Musharraf may have misused the period of emergency to install a biased judiciary, round up his opposition but he is still working in cooperation in the war against terror. Repeated attempts at his life should be proof enough that whatever he is doing is working. In the long term he can’t rule for ever US leads the pro democracy movement around the world so as soon as conditions have stabilized it will put enough pressure on musharraf to transfer control from military back to the people of Pakistan.

However if Pakistan hosts election there are two scenarios, one there would be a power struggle between the prime minister and president, two the government would act in accordance with the President and in effect serve the purpose of a rubber stamp. What the future holds that we do not know but the whole world will watch as the drama unfolds at Islamabad.

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