President Pervez Musharraf has been the undisputed ruler of Pakistan since the General, following a military coup, first came to power in the closing years of the previous century. However, the situation or time has changed drastically for the Pakistani autocrat.
President Pervez Musharraf hasn’t yet fully initiated his campaign for re-election to another term; voices have already started rising not only from opposition parties but leading figures within the governing party.
There are chances that the Supreme Court of Pakistan will possibly block Musharraf’s nomination for Presidential post and declare it unlawful, as the CJ - with a new-found independence - has vowed to back the Constitutional rules and regulations and put an end to autocratic government in the nation.
What went wrong for Musharraf that the military autocrat had to struggle (literally) for his unchallenged regime?
Though, the people always wished an elected government in the nation, but a string of recent incidents have paved the way for potential political demise of the Pakistani president. The tide start turning against the General since he illegally sacked the Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry from the post who later fought back of his reinstatement on July 20.
Recent poll has come up with some staggering, rather inevitable, figures for president Musharraf. The poll, based on interviews with 4,000 adults in cities and villages across Pakistan, reveals that the President - with 64% of Pakistanis opposing his reelection - has lost a great deal of popularity among the masses.
In the recent past, Musharaff has struggled with Islamic fundamentalists in his own nation, especially after the bloody clash between the government forces and Islamic radicals at the Red Mosque. Moreover, the tribal leadership in the northwestern part, once his main support, isn’t under his control anymore. His attempt to stick to power could stimulate Islamic radicalism not only domestically but regionally and beyond.
The scenario for Musharraf has become worse than ever before in the past eight years. He is left with no other option than to join hands with some of his chief political rivals that he himself had earlier exiled from the country. He had to approach former PM Benazir Bhutto in the hopes of securing a deal that would help him secure another term. However, Bhutto has insisted that Musharraf will have to choose between the posts of Army Chief and Presidency before any political alliance between the two.
Moreover, even his own allies are questioning his legitimacy now. With support dwindling among the masses as well his appointed bearers of power, Musharraf is bound to face some music in his quest for power. As already said, CJ will be the largest stumbling block in his way to seek a continuation in the office.
Opposition parties cite five major reasons against Musharraf’s presidency. All of them, to varying degrees, involve a constitutional interpretation. This being the case, the role of Supreme Court gets even more interesting. No doubt Pervez is in for a tough time especially with his allies too deserting him.
