Adil Najam
Since yesterday the “I” word – impeachment – has begun to be thrown around a lot.
Some quarters seem to think that it just happen this time. Others suggest that it is more talk than action and the numbers needed to pull this are still not there.
Coming out of the “critical” Nawaz Sharif-Asif Zardari meetings one keeps wondering how much of this is an effort to keep the coalition going and how much is a real push to change the essential political equations of Pakistan. There are reports that Gen. Musharraf is taking this move seriously enough to cancel his trip to China (to attend the Olympics opening ceremony). On the other hand some of Gen. Musharraf’s supporters are claiming that no such cancellation has happened. We do know, however, that he is taking this challenge seriously and lining up his supporters.
All in all, there is too much noise to say what is happening. But something is clearly happening. Does the PPP-PML(N) have the numbers they need to go ahead? Does the President have the numbers he needs to stop it? And what of all the external actors and where they may lean, why and for what?
Interestingly, we had run a ATP Poll back in June asking you what you thought would have happened to Gen. Musharraf by October 2008? The majority (38%) had thought that he would be impeached by then. A significant number (31%) thought that by October 2008 we woudl be still muddling through as we are now.
We do not intend to open the Poll again, but it does seem that either of those two answers could turn out to be true again. Indeed, even our earlier Poll on the subject, from October 2007, may still be relevant in its results!
So, since we can’t make full sense of exactly what all of this adds up to, we thought we woudl ask our best source: You. What do you think? What is happening? What might happen? And why?
If the govt can guarantee that things will become better for ordinary Pakistanis after Musharraf impeachment then I woudl say, go for it. But I am not at all sure that they will.
I also think that the writing on the wall is clear. Three provincial assemblies have voted for impeachment. Zardari has played his cards well. The US is not interesting in saving Musharraf this time.
I don’t know if things will become better with Musharraf gone, but I think they will become worse if he stays.
I agree with last poster that having a new election immediately after he is gone will clear a lot of the air and maybe give us a fresh start.
In many ways, I think the single best solution to this very bad situation is the following;
1. Judges restored
2. NRO revoked
3. Musharraf resigns
4. New elections held
5. New parliament takes on full constitutional review (the constitution is now so messed up with change after change that any and everything in Pakistan is now at the same time illegal and legal in politics)
I think (1) and (3) will happen and maybe even (4) will have to happen. But the other two I am not sure of.
I agree with many others that it is time for Musharraf to leave.
I actually like him much more than Zardari and Sharif myself. But the fact is that people voted for PPP and PML and now Musharraf is staying for no reason and it is distracting everything that the nation should be doing.
he should come on TV and say that in the country and national harmony he will leave the President’s office and he will wish the country and the government the best. I think people will respect him more for a decision like that.
We have definitely made a wrong choice by voting for this government. I hope this government is over thrown by the President who is by the constitution of Pakistan, president for next four years.
NB:Justice Iftikhar took oath under PCO where as existing Judges have taken oath under the constitution and Musharaf will definitely have support from Army if something happens. The only reason army and Musharaf are quiet is to let nation see what mess this government creates.
The current government cannot impeach Musharaf, It will be a different story if Musharaf walks away himself. That will be a sad day, he has fought and bled for his nation during his service. The only reason he will walk away will be if he is hopeless for Pakistan.