Every empire has a downfall. The same can be said about rulers of Pakistan. From Liaquat Ali Khan to Ayub Khan to Bhutto to Zia to the democratically “elected” Nawaz and Benazir and finally to Musharraf. Musharraf’s downfall began earlier this year when he sacked the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. Since then, it has been a downward spiral.
This year has been important in defining who is who of Pakistan politics. We have seen the likes of Sheikh Rasheed and the Chudhries – proving themselves to be opportunists of the worst kind. If America were to invade Pakistan tomorrow, these people will be their willing ministers and executioners. Then we have the Sharif “bradraan”. Another bunch who tried to come back to Pakistan to exploit the situation, probably dreaming about being handed over the throne. Musharraf got the better of them. Jamat-e-Islami showed its true colors by handing over Imran to the police. The Jamaat with all it’s Qazi Hussains and the Fazloos have been puppets of the Army – from Zia’s time. No surprises there.
Benazir Bhutto on the other hand is in a league of her own. She has to be the most shrewd politician in Pakistan. Her are the likes that I like to call “professional” politicians. Their sole purpose for coming in to politics is not to serve the people or the country, but to become rich. Convicted by Spanish and Swiss courts for money laundering, the BB walk around the country with what we Pakistanis like to call “dhitai” – shamelessness. Her coming back and reconciling with Musharraf was the biggest sign that America has given it’s blessings to this unholy union. Musharraf, it seems, was not too happy with this.
Benazir is now saying that she will not accept Musharraf in any situation. The only reason that BB can take this stand has to come in the form of assurances from America. Otherwise, taking on Musharraf – a military dictator – just on the basis of “awami” support is not something BB can do. That requires balls. And BB has none – literally.
Musharraf is in a tight corner now – the only thing that can save him is the creation of an environment that will convince America that Musharraf is needed at the top to fight these “extremists”. I think we should all be ready for another round of bombing in the northern areas.
In my estimate, Musharraf’s days are numbered – America has already given BB assurances of power, and that can’t happen with Musharraf in power. After all, BB is no Shaukat Aziz.
