Musharraf’s overweening ambition to rule like an eagle over the doves and to pursue a second term as a president in military uniform received yet another jolt when Supreme Court freed Javed Hashmi, a senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League.
The row between Judiciary and Musharraf started when latter sacked the Chief Justice of Pakistan in March which later followed by the stringent restrictions on Media that were intended to muzzle the freedom of press. These decisions pulled on the lever of conflicts and thereafter, there is no looking back.
The rift in Pakistani with the President is heating up with each passing day and it’s only because of Musharraf’s capricious decisions to centralize power in his hand and to have a second term as a president. However, control is slipping out of his hand and opinion is turning against him with a rapid speed, which, no doubt, will mar his prospects to attain second term as a president.
After the reinstatement of the sacked chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, Musharraf is facing legal challenges against his authority and with this decision, the political battle against President will be invigorated.
The changing distrust against Musharraf’s authority in Pakistan and his tarnished image abroad for his duel role, has made his job tough. He is facing the most crucial period of his presidential career and is in dilemma as for as the action against self nurtured militants is concerned.
The situation is more intensified with the possible US attack in Waziristan to destroy al-Qaeda. On the other side, his action against militants in Red Mosque has further invigorated distrust against him at home and now US forces him to take decisive action against militants - collectively (with US) or unilaterally - which again will make his job difficult to remain president in military uniform.
Moreover, Musharraf’s own life is under threat as he had already been attacked thrice in the past and any military offensive will increase the danger against his life. Therefore, Musharraf is caught in his own trap, and even a power sharing deal with the pro-American Ms Bhutto is under suspicion, as it could harm the reliability of the elections. Amid the looming presidential and general elections that are scheduled to take place next year, what course of action will be taken and how Musharraf will save his power hegemony, remains to be seen. However, its a herculean job for him, but not insurmountable and the decision will decide his and Pakistan’s future.
Source: Telegraph
