WITH MUSHARRAF REJECTED, BUSY TIMES AHEAD
Since independence Pakistan has never had smooth transformation of power. And this time it brought the judiciary on the streets and physically eliminated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. From nearly nine years of Army rule to democracy, Pakistan is going through one it's most crucial phase of political transformation.
With all the post election euphoria over, PPP and PML-N are discussing government formation, restoration of democracy and restoration of judiciary. It would be foolish of them to discuss Musharraf's impeachment. It is going to be very busy schedule ahead for these two parties but will be wasting their time and energy if not focused on important issues mentioned and impeachment instead. Impeachment might just prove to be a wrong move at this stage by the future government resulting into messing up of the opportunity so provided against President Pervez Musharraf, religious political allies and America's Pakistan policy.
Pakistan has one important battle of its own to fight i.e. the radical Taliban and Al- Qaeda operatives who have created safe sanctuaries on country's western front. With Musharraf shown the door questions have started rising over Pakistan's internal security and its engagement in the ongoing war on terror across the border frontiers in Afghanistan. This is because Pakistan in last one year has dangerously tilted towards radicalization and the new political arrangement in Islamabad rejecting Musharraf, America's most trusted ally in their war on terror has surprised Bush forcing his administration to think new policy for their efforts in Afghanistan.
Since 9/11 America has invested heavily in Pakistan and Musharraf with little returns. The later has already stepped down from the army, George Bush is ending his term next year and still Osama Bin Laden is out of reach. The current scenario seems to be neither favouring Musharraf nor America. Musharraf's defeat and Bush's last year in the office would no doubt make America take a last chance to hunt down Bin Laden. America's urgency is evident from Bush administration's praising of the vote and pledge to continue working with both Musharraf and any new government that emerges from ongoing negotiations between the two main opposition parties.
But still the Pakistani army holds the key to Pakistan's internal security and American efforts in Afghanistan and on the Pak-Afghan border frontiers. The army has ruled Pakistan for most of its independent years. Pakistan's future without any doubt depends upon harmonious relationship between the army and the future civil establishment. It would be difficult for the civilian government to undo so easily what Musharraf has done during his past nine years as army chief and then as president.
Pakistan is at a crucial juncture, having the task of fighting and containing the radical forces on one hand and its engagement in America's war on terror on the other. It would be quite difficult for America without Pakistan in the region but should allow Pakistan to concentrate on its journey towards civilian rule of law.
