Islamabad, Oct 12: Pakistani media today flayed President Pervez Musharraf for failing to hand over power to an elected administration and his "inability" to solve any major foreign or domestic problem during his four-year rule. While there were visible gains like economic recovery mainly due to inflows of aid in the aftermath of the 9/11 turnaround in Pakistan's pro-Taliban policy, the "biggest failure" has been the military's inability to develop a national consensus on a workable political and constitutional framework, daily 'Dawn' commented.
Referring to his election as president through a referendum in April, 2002 as "thoroughly spurious" exercise, which failed to bestow legitimacy on Musharraf's position as head of state, it said his four-year rule resulted more in a constitutional deadlock.
"At present, the army seems to have no exit strategy, and is hopelessly bogged down in day-to-day problems that range from reading electricity meters to keeping sewerage lines open," it said adding that Musharraf has failed to keep his promise to pave way for smooth transition of power.
"Over and above these political and constitutional matters, the nation has been shaken by a wave of terrorism that shows no signs of abating. This is a sad commentary on the working of a government that claims it is paying undivided attention to the war on terror," it added. Bureau Report