Sheetal Rajput
Pervez Musharraf once famously remarked that he was like the proverbial cat with nine lives, surviving assassination bids and political catastrophes time and again. One wonders what he has to say to the verdict that the people of Pakistan have hurled at him. The General, who so far outsmarted his Prime Minister, his judiciary and even his fate, may just be too close to comfort with his nemesis. Having suffered over eight stifling years under Musharraf’s dictatorship, Pakistanis have finally exhaled him out of their system.
The fact that his strongest ally, Pakistan Muslim League(Q) has been virtually routed even from its stronghold, Punjab, speaks a lot about the Pakistanis’ determination to overthrow anything and everything that has to do with Musharraf. The fact that all his men, from the invincible, loud talking, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, to the suave former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, to the powerful Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain have suffered humiliation at the hustings, speaks of the total rebellion of his countrymen against him.
As democracy takes its revenge and the troubled South Asian nation revels in its moment of joy, the former General looks uneasy like never before. He sheepishly talks of reconciliation and a willingness to work with everyone. But beneath the bravado, Musharraf knows this is the end of his political game in Pakistan, unless of course, he again turns around and dissolves Parliament. He still possesses the power to do that. But doing that, this time on, could prove a lot more lethal and politically suicidal, considering the negative sentiment against him among the masses.
The voter in Pakistan has thrown up some interesting facts about the way he thinks.
The thin margin of lead taken by Pakistan Peoples’ Party over Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League(N) makes it loud and clear that regional biases are stronger than their sympathy for the slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
The surprise element in the so called mother of all polls has been the performance of the PML(N), two times former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s party.
Pakistan’s march towards democracy, which still has to pass many tests of stability, internal turmoil and all-pervasive extremism leaves very few and uncomfortable options for Pervez Musharraf.
He has to make efforts to ally with either of the leading parties, the PPP or the PML(N). The chances of an alliance with the latter look very remote, as Nawaz Sharif has already demanded his resignation.
Things look a little more possible with Asif Ali Zardari’s PPP, as Benazir was known to be open to the idea. There were even talk of a pre-poll alliance between them at the time.
But, a recent statement from Zardari indicating that the impeachment of Musharraf cannot be ruled out should awaken the former General to the grim political reality he is facing today. It may be noted that he is leaving stone unturned to push through such an alliance. Immediately after the results, Musharraf sent his emissaries to Zardari urging him to stay away from Sharif. Though quick off his feet on this, the move exposes Musharraf’s desperation.
Worse still for him can be the scenario in which the PPP and PML(N) decide to join hands and form a coalition government. Together they could work vigorously for Musharraf’s ouster.
However, their difference of opinion, on issues like the restoration of the judiciary, handing over the nuclear scientist A Q Khan to America and the Lal Masjid episode, could end up providing the former General room for fresh manoeuver that he now desperately seeks.
It must also not be forgotten that there is no love lost between the two major players of today. Zardari still holds a grudge against Nawaz Sharif for putting him behind bars on alleged charges of corruption, during his tenure. Succeeding or failing to forge a coalition will therefore, be as crucial for the two as it will be for Pervez Musharraf.
And then there is the king of all, General Ashfaq Kayani and the Pakistani Army. That they will be an exception to history and allow democratic polity to flourish in Pakistan, is something one is deeply skeptical about.
Interesting to note will be the American response to Pakistan’s verdict. Would they still choose to cling on to Pervez Musharraf or look for a fresh ally from amongst Pakistan’s new political dispensation in the war against terror?
Sadly for the former General, American support too may no longer be blanket, which, for the fallen king, could well prove to be the last nail in the coffin! Interesting also would be to see whether or not the Americans still choose to ignore Nawaz Sharif, who clearly appears to be the surprise package and the popular choice here.
First Published: Saturday, February 16, 2008, 00:00