Explaining what is happening in Pakistan, and why, is never easy. Never has it been more difficult than it is now. Talking earlier today to the National Public Radio show Here and Now, it struck me again how difficult it is to articulate any explanation of Pakistan’s politics – not only to non-Pakistani audiences, but to Pakistani audiences too.
Consider the recent news stream. Suicide bomb blasts by extremists kill another 30 in Lahore in yet another dastardly attack. Gen. Musharraf calls the National Assembly to meet on Monday, March 17. Supposedly Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari come to an agreement on the government formation but it is no more clear today who the next Prime Minister will be than it was before the meeting. They also insist that they will “restore” the judges but speculations remain rife on just which judges and just how “restored.”
Depending on who you speak to, you are told that Gen. Musharraf is playing games with the parliament by trying to call the opposition’s hand before they have decided on the Prime Minister issue. Others tell you that it is the politicians themselves who are playing games not only with the cat and house of Prime Ministerial candidates but also with the judges and the lawyers movement. Meanwhile, the extremists continue their deadly game of murder and mayhem as they did in Lahore.
At the end of the day the real losers are – as they always are – the people of Pakistan. It is they who suffer the instability. It is they who are killed. It is they who languish in uncertainty. The costs of uncertainty are never trivial, but it becomes particularly horrendous with suicide bombers blowing themselves up.
What is most disturbing and truly dangerous is that as Gen. Musharraf keeps fighting for his personal survival and position and as the politicians keep fumbling in their indicisive daze, it is the extremist forces that stand to gain by playing simultaneously on the citizen’s dislike for Gen. Musharraf and distrust for the main political leaders of our time.
No one is clear on who will rule Pakistan tomorrow. But it is clear that uncertainty rules Pakistan today. And that is not good for anyone except the extremists who seek to destabilize the country and breed anarchy and chaos.
I asked a friend in lahore about what goign on, as I am far away from things on the ground.
This is what my friend said…
Things are still “hanging” because everyone is waiting to see who will come in. With cases being exonerated and the Nro going through, I doubt we have a very bright immediate future, especially if zardari comes in. A greedy and slick man, what percent will he be charging? The sale of pakistan? nawaz sharif perpetually looks sour. And the judges are neither here or there since they don’t know where they’ll be next. Personally, I think the lawyers’ movement has gone too far, especially ahsan who should now give a chance to the ppp/pmln to carry out their joint statements. But I doubt the calition will last long. Lahore is a bit edgy but slowly moving on. I was actually on my way in to work, which isn’t too far from the FIA building. I heard the two booms, saw the billowing cloud but none others, and had my suspicions confirmed when two mp jeeps were racing down in the same direction I was going. I doubt however that bombings will stop even if Musharraf steps down. I think there are some external/internal elements, and this lawyers’ strike and the parties’ failure to show cohesion is taking advantage of the limbo the govt. is in.
Off Topic but important.
TV Media’s Coverage on Kashmir Singh VS Pakistani Dead Khalid
Very Embarrassing
Enough Said.
Khalid Pakistani Hero? Deserves more recognition?
So, what is so strange if “Uncertainty Rules Pakistan “? The Uncertainty is the integral part of life. Only the beginning (birth) and the end (death) of life are certain. The life itself, no matter how long, remains always uncertain. This applies to every thing in the universe except the Creator of the universe itself. In reality, even the Creator is not a certain fixed Entity. I will say that
@ Mile Stone
I wrote this article right after the death of BB.
http://www.longlivepakistan.com/?p=18
I also believe people voted for him and now they deserve to have him may be people will learn their lesson. However Zardari has been giving responsible statements. Its all because he wants to lay down carpet for Bilwal. So he can enter smoothly into leadership. So this gives me hope that for this reason he will behave.
Well done Mr.10%.
1. First he planned the killing of BB
2. Delivered fake will and himself co-chariman of PPP and Bilawal the chairman by changing his name to Bilawal Bhutto (and Pakistani awam fell for it, feel so sorry)
3. Nominated Amin Fahim the Parliamentry leader to get hi suuport, inorder to remain co-chairman
3.Increased diplomatic ties with both NS and Musharraf as well as other parties
4. Annouce 3 more names of PM ship, even though it was decided that Amin Fahim is the leader
5. Didnot invite Amin Fahim to Muree meeting and Asked NS to show his reservation against Amin Fahim, so that Amin Fahim wont be able to run for PM ship and in return accepted the NS wish of restoration of judiciary.
6. Making Jehangir badr and otther leaders to announce their support for Zardari
7. Meeting with Amin Fahim and saying that I dont want to become the PM, but party wants him to become PM
Now, Amin Fahim will leave the party and whats