Musharraf resigned. Good news or bad, only time will tell. However, now that we are entering post Musharaff era, it is critical that Mr. Gillani initiate programs to help the country, and also to establish good rapport with rest of the world. Pakistan needs friends and above all, Pakistan has to keep the alliance with Washington intact to defeat the religious nuts, but also for the sake of good in the region.
If you google Pakistan and danger, you would get countless hits. For example, The Economist declared Pakistan The Worlds Most Dangerous Place in January 2008. Newsweek framed Pakistan as a country Where the Jihad Lives in October 2007. In November 2007, Telegraph mentioned the country as Pakistan: the world's most dangerous country. Regretfully, nothing has changed, let alone improved since these attention grabbing headlines caught our attention. Terrorism has not declined under the current government. In fact, it is sad, but true that there is no difference between the strategy that Musharraf pursued to deal with militants and the strategy of the current government in Islamabad. Both Musharraf and Gillani first warned the militants, than attacked them, than declared victory and pulled back, only to start negotiations and finally settling on more threats. And what is the result of this on-going war and peace with militants? More attacks by the militants, more pressure on civilian population and more instability and confusion across the county.
Both Islamabad and Washington must re-think their military strategies in FATA and other tribal area where Taliban are gaining strength by the hour.
In addition to terrorism, and in the midst of all this inflation, anger, disappointment and resentment towards Islamabad for not doing anything tangible to curtail and control sky rocketing prices for daily necessities, Zardari and Nawaz Sharif decided to impeach the president. There is no question that Musharraf should have left long time ago, but right now, the country has to focus on the future, or perhaps to secure Pakistan's future. Mr. Gillani should be focusing entirely on easing the economic pain for the citizens. This is the time to ensure non-stop electricity, clean running water, ample food supplies across the country, and economic stimulation, but, Zardari and Nawaz Sharif are not really doing what the citizens want them to do , make life easy for them.
Musharraf on the other hand was a surprisingly naïve adult adolescent who refused to acknowledge his defeat, refused to acknowledge his unpopularity, refused to accept his fate, refused to leave without being embarrassed in front the world, he just didn't get it. Any honorable man or woman would have left long time ago, but not Musharraf. When he finally ran out of options, he resigned yesterday. We have to wait and see how things change now that he is not there as an excuse.
At this point, it is not clear whether the current alliance can last now that they have gotten rid of their common enemy, Musharraf. The division between PPP, the ruling party, and PML (N), the junior partner in the government is too deep. Both parties have different views on fighting terrorism, both parties have totally different views on relations with Washington, and both parties have completely distinct views on the issue of restoring the judges fired by Musharraf.
The next 48 hours are critical for Pakistan and for Washington because the ruling alliance in Islamabad would begin the nail biting process of announcing the nominee to replace Musharraf. This choice would clearly signal the direction Islamabad is going to take in the days ahead.
Hopefully, Islamabad and Washington have learned by the mistakes committed under Musharraf and they have a great opportunity to prove their judgment.
Bilal Qureshi
Washington, DC
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