It’s interesting to look at newspapers from around the world deciding the fate of Pakistan, speculating things outrageous and sometimes predictable. Depending on what side you are on, one can only see that there will be an uprising against Musharraf that will lead to his becoming the President and dismissal of his post as Chief Executive followed by elections in which Bhutto will win the popular vote and become the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the third time.
I seem to understand that people around the world, Pakistanis and non-Pakistanis, have suddenly realized that there is a country named Pakistan that seems to have an emergency rule in practice. Even though it’s too late for the reality check, it still could make a difference.
I am completely neutral on this thing because on one hand I prefer Musharraf because of his economic policies (look at KSE’s performance and foreign investment) and how he brought about change as far as corruption and accountability is concerned but on the other hand I think he is now intoxicated with the position he had after 1999 coup.
Anyone who is intoxicated, special with power, is not going to let it go overnight. Power is an amazing thing, if you don’t have it, you want it; if you have it, you want more and more. It’s like money, you can never be content. Musharraf lost his way trying to turn Pakistan into an economic powerhouse.
What I believe will happen now in Pakistan is that he will definitely hold elections in January, that’s just given. Bhutto will become the Prime Minister and Musharraf will become the President with obviously more power than Bhutto. I quote Times:
“Washington was the main broker for the deal to bring Ms. Bhutto back to Pakistan last month, which included an amnesty for longstanding corruption charges against her.”
If that is the case, what exactly will change? Did everyone forget why Bhutto was ousted from power in the first place? The woman is soaked with corruption. How will she be a good thing for Pakistan? Oh wait, she was elected Prime Minister through a democratic process…. maybe that’s why she is good and Musharraf is bad.
Just because someone has been elected to power by popular vote, doesn’t make them immune to any wrong doing. Look at Ahmedinejad of Iran. He was elected, but Iran is not a democracy, far from it. So if you are thinking about Pakistan being democratic soon, you need to wake up…
I see things to be gloomy for next 2 years. Unrest on the border with Afghanistan is going to go through the roof once Bhutto is elected as she will have power sharing government at best which will then lead to diplomatic measures in which everyone will try to save their own seat and thus compromise on issues like terrorism and rapid talibanization in Pakistan.
