The endless dilemma

By Muhammad Ahsan Yatu President Musharraf after he overthrew an elected but wayward government said so often that he would not have done it, had Nawaz Sharif not obstructed landing schedule of his flight.

What he meant was that he was pushed into the mess.

With the passing of time he gained confidence as all rulers do and presented himself as savior of the nation.

However, he also realized soon that not much could be done to improve things in an ever-turbulent country.

So he decided to do what all of his predecessors had been doing, to remain around leaving national improvement and development to God.

Army had brought him in, Muslim League was waiting to be patronized once again, and even the so-called champions of democracy the PPP politicians were anxious for a deal.

With the exception of mullahs all were under control or under command.

The problem was solved when an alliance was managed for the Mullahs to have their support when and if needed.

Yet and in spite of luck things were moving against the president because inactivity in all fields particularly in economy was becoming a matter of concern.

External pressures on debts were increasing, and poverty too was becoming terrible.

However luck was on his side.

The 9/11 happened and proved a blessing for him.

His siding with America helped improve so many things including his own political health; and chances of recovery of a sick economy appeared after a decade of depression.

Meanwhile history started repeating speedily.

Some one this time pushed the President into real mess.

He opted for referendum to legitimize his role once the court given three years period would expire.

Since then his stay became controversial, because not many people saw the people moving towards referendum booths.

Controversy generated by the referendum did end on Ist January 2004, but partially.

The Mullahs, who do not hesitate to speak proudly of their alliance with the military in hours of national needs, did not pose confidence in him.

Ordinarily it would not have mattered but given the politico-religious and militant hold of Mullahs in two provinces bordering Afghanistan, it is a matter of great worry.

Do the Mullahs want in their hearts of hearts some one else as president so that they feel free in doing what they have been doing in past.

If they think so they are wrong.

Similarly if the President thinks he has been elected by the Parliament, he too is a victim of misjudgment.

Pakistan's new policy on Afghanistan is no one's personal baby, it is a well thought out strategy, and it will stay irrespective of persons and personalities.

So there is nothing comfortable the mullahs in times ahead.

Yet, another reason for Mullahs' yes for the LFO and no for the President could be that they want to soothe the feelings of their supporters whom they have been telling that this man, the president, had betrayed the Islamic cause by turning against the Taliban and others.

Yet, another reason could be that they have furthered the cause of those who had pushed Musharraf into the referendum.

Whatever their aims, they have failed at least for the time being.

As for President, no doubt a negative opinion form the parliaments of two provinces has dented his confidence seeking exercise, but in Pakistan's political history what matters most is where and with whom Punjab stands.

On January 1, 2004, Punjab stood almost unanimously behind the President, in the national and provincial parliaments and also in the senate.

This is a great victory for him.

This is what was needed.

However, it would remain half conducted task till people of Punjab, who had rejected him in the referendum, also endorse him.

To have them on their side, it is time for the president to act.

He must conduct now an exercise entirely of his own.

He should immediately take into confidence the real political forces of Punjab.

The Muslim League (N) and the PPP will certainly cooperate, if contacted sincerely.

However, winning more and new friends should not mean early end of the present political process_though, looking at its inherent and acquired weaknesses one wonders how it is still around_it should mean that when ever new elections are held they will be held free of interference of agencies and the establishment.

This will improve the political environment of the country radically.

About improvement of national concerns, well that is not our rulers job.

Allah and America will take care of Pakistan as before.

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