The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dr.Abdul Ruff

February 18 poll in Pakistan with a split verdict denying the opposition parties majority has not brought about any tangible prospects for the nation or any visible hopes for a bright future for the people. Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won 88 seats, the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) 66 and the ANP 10 in the elections. But the newly formed PPP-PMLN coalition has intensified their horse trade to acquire two-third majority in the Parliament required to impeach the President. Further, 27 independents also seem to have expressed their willingness to join the coalition. But the fact remains that Musharraf-backed PML-Quaid could win 39 seats against all odds. Party position in the new National Assembly of Pakistan does not justify any action by the split opposition to remove the president who in the first place, conducted, as required by opposition parties and the USA, a free and fair poll that has only helped the combined opposition to forge unity to initiate action to remove Musharraf. However, the opposition parties have got just one point program for Pakistan: removal of Musharraf from presidency. They don't seem to be in hurry to support the genuine cause of the poor Pakistanis who have suffered for so long.Elections are deemed necessary for gauging the support of the people for the political parties in a country. Opposition wants the poll for any change of regime. Without having a strong political party of his own, Musharraf has embarked upon a "democratic voyage" without proper goals, thinking that people and the politicians-cum-media are solidly behind him, even while criticizing him vaguely. President Pervez Musharraf seems to have misunderstood his own people while opening up the Pakistani society to modernity step-by-step and has lost much hope for survival without the support from the opposition. When he shed his military uniform in order to assume civilian presidency, he might have thought his future is fully secured. But politicians, irrespective of their vision of new Pakistan, were bent on kicking him from presidency just as a matter of taking revenge, as if people have voted the opposition only to get Musharraf out.

Certainly the Feb 18 poll was not a referendum on Musharraf or his policies. Neither the opposition nor the media have accepted the fact it was not an anti-Musharraf vote, but a vote for collective wisdom and a creative action to lift Pakistan from the present impasse and achieve greater goals set for the new nation by the founder Jinnah. If there is another vote, Musharraf's margin would possibly be better with more seats for PMLQ supporting him. And that party aligns itself with some more parties they might even secure sizeable number seats. That is arithmetic of poll strategy, considering revision of emotional levels of the voters. That has exactly been happening in many countries including India. People forget the events quickly with time.

Pakistan's media owe greatly to Musharraf's positive contribution to their flourishing and expansion. Yet, bulks of Pakistani media as well as Indian have intensified their insistence for Musharraf's exit earlier than later. Pakistani media want USA to push Musharraf out and help the new regime take charge and rule according t their whims and fancies, because Pakistan's policies are not going change significantly irrespective of who and how rules from Islamabad. Apparently, media reiterate that there is no alternative for Musharraf but to accept people's verdict that overwhelmingly repudiated him as Bush's man in Islamabad. They have already tolled exit bell for him. Washington, his sheet anchor of power is solidly with him.

Meanwhile, US President George W. Bush's has praised President Pervez Musharraf for responding to all the steps that Washington proposed in fighting terrorism and restoring democracy in Pakistan. President Bush does support Musharraf for all the work that he has done to help us in counter terrorism, and if you look at what we asked President Musharraf to do, which is to take off the uniform, set free and fair elections and lift emergency order - he did all of those things," White House spokesperson Dana Parino said. And thus the president does certainly support Musharraf. USA insists on collective leadership in Pakistan. Pakistani leaders, cutting across the political spectrum, would find it difficult to ignore the suggestions being made from Washington. And, therefore, President Musharraf is most likely to stay.

Mediated by the USA, both Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif had returned to Pakistan on tacit understanding with Musharraf to make a new parliament to advance Pakistan's legitimate national interest. And Benazir returned to Pakistan on the agreement of sharing power with Musharraf, who also softened his stance on her by allowing many concessions to her electioneering. By keeping the background of her return, the PPP now wants to avoid unnecessary friction through quarrels with Musharraf that would ultimately harm peaceful change of power.

The PML-N chief, Nawaz Sharif has already sounded the alarm bell that time was running out for him, and he has no options but to quit. However, it looks, reformer president Musharraf has become a lone ranger against many odds that he will some how surmount as before. All his moves to stay in power have been resisted by the "smart" opposition and his unpopularity is being fueled by them. Nawaz Sharif has been saying Musharraf is not acceptable under any circumstance, the PPP leader Zardari is reportedly considering a revision in the tactic of his PPP party by cooperating with Musharraf on some understanding. However, behind the scene a move is gaining momentum to reach an agreement between opposition and Musharraf.

In a move to make compromises with the opposition, Pervez Musharraf has sent a message to PPP Chief Asif Ali Zardari that sacked judges of the higher courts can be reinstated provided they do not hear the cases against him, said an official privy to the developments. The olive branch was sent to the PPP, which is discussing details of government formation with Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N), "The presidency is ready to restore the judges provided they don't sit on benches hearing cases against the President," a top government official reportedly said. He said the presidency has also suggested that judges appointed by Musharraf after last year's November 3 emergency would be accommodated in the same positions or transferred to government positions usually held by serving judges. Musharraf has also agreed to forego powers of sacking parliament and appointing services chiefs.

It is unfortunate that none of these parties think seriously about national interest or the welfare of the voters who have given the mandate to govern the nation better. The February 18 polls in Pakistan have proved it beyond any shadow of doubt that Pakistani politicians and media magnet must rise about petty quarrels and shed their narrow interests and begin to rebuild the nation on refreshed resolutions. The opposition has not yet come out with any future plan that would take the country out of turmoil toward growth, development and advancement in keeping with the global advances in all spheres of human endeavors.

Pakistani politicians and media would serve the nation and people better if they remember that they have a primary duty before the people and the Islamic nation that is being under constant threat from a stronger neighbor India ill-focused on a strong Pakistan and bent upon seeing the worst to happen the next doors. And any upset in Pakistan's governance would directly affect adversely the prospects of early resolution of Kashmir issue pending for decades, because India seems to be keen to delay the grant of re-Independence to Kashmiris as long and far as possible.