Adil Najam
Rumors of a ‘deal’ between PPP leader Benazir Bhutto and Gen. Pervez Musharraf have been rife for a long time. All indications now suggest that a deal of some sort has, in fact, been reached.
The ferocity with which the rumors are being denied – with obvious insincerity – suggests that something is afoot. The question is, exactly what.
There is little utility, it seems to us, to indulge any further in the speculation than people already are. The much more important question is what – if anything – will such a deal mean for Pakistan and for democracy in Pakistan.
Will it make things better? Will it make things worse? Will things remain as they have always been and this will simply be one more round in the ‘great game’ of musical chairs that has always been Pakistan politics?
That is the question for our new ATP Poll (see top of middle column). Let us know what you think, and why? With your vote in the poll and with your comments below.
This will be good news for Pakistan no doubt.
My vote was “no difference.”
It is a catch-22 situation. As a country with fragile economy, insurgency, and mess on Western borders Pakistan cannot afford agitations, wheeljams, close suhtters, unleashing of the Lal Masjid zealots, and anarchy. On the other hand people of Pakistan cannot afford to have this circus go on for ever.
This leaves us with the status quo i.e. no difference!
On a troublesome note, with Zardari on the horizon, the waterfront development in karachi will either decrease by 20% or expand 180% – depending upon which sheikh is ready to cough up the commission. And since BB has been residing in Dubai for years – she knows the fat purses.
Standby and enjoy the show..
Jiyala, I appreciate your laying out your argument. But have to disagree. I think it will make things WORSE because if this happens then people will loose whatever little confidence they have in democracy and political process. It will be another victory for military because it will say, “see, this is what your politicians are like?”
If the politicians don’t take a stand for politics then what will they stand up for!
What are Benazir Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf up to?
Screwing the rest of us.
Also, when the PPP officially joins the government, and discredits itself once again, then NS will probably get the bulk of the anti-establishment votes on his side, with a likely alliance with MMA. Those who have been eager for the return of BB in the hope that this would strengthen the ‘liberal forces’ have hardly considered the possible backlash in the long-term whenever the military regime eventually unravels.
Of course such a backlash and outcome can be avoided if BB comes back and delivers on good governance in a substantial way instead of repeating the performance of the 1990s, but her previous record and the performance of the present government does not really encourage much optimism on this count.