Re: Islamabad protest – Operation started
I agree for the most part but not the very last statement. Looks like the Establishment has evolved, they have realize that the Zia, Musharraf like complete dictatorial control would not work for them (they have actually been alot worse in directly managing the country than their civilian counterparts, despite the timing which resulted in increased American financial aid). They have now realized that they need to thrive under a proxy guise of a civilian Government, which clearly the ruling Govt or the PPP before had issues with. To keep them in line, they capitalize on whatever they can find, i.e. Siwss Accounts, Iqamas technicalities, corruption charges, clerical mistakes. Unless we have clean chit angels governing the Establishment will find a way to exploit and keep them in check everytime they start questioning military spending or moves for better relations with India. The games they played with the MQM clearly shows they have done their home work and planning very well this time around. They have realized that the Govt. is clearly not buckling fully under the shots and the best way to cripple them is to ensure their popular mandate is impacted in addition to some of the inter party conflicts being catalyzed, and what better way to do it than to incite accusations of blasphemy as generally that works well with the Pakistani masses. The opposition played their cards the best they could, they were not very vocal about their support of the dharna because they know they would would be restricted to ‘just’ puppets under the establishment even if they win the next elections and will have to rely on a MMA like party (these dharna folks) for support in a very hung parliament. If they support and side with the Government, they would be shown to side with blasphemers and their wings would be clipped anyways by the establishment. Lose lose scenario either way for everyone but the Establishment here.