Re: Musharraf crumbling under pressure
Musharraf just go!
By Shaheen Sehbai
WASHINGTON: The PPP-PML-N coalition has finally moved in the direction set on March 9, 2008 in the Murree Declaration and there could not have been a better birthday gift to the nation.
By setting Aug 11 as the date when the process would begin, the coalition has also sent a meaningful birthday gift to President Pervez Musharraf who should otherwise have been celebrating his own birthday on that day in a comfortable political setting. Not so anymore.
The decision to impeach the president is monumental and would be a real but gruelling test for the newly strengthened democratic system as its success would establish genuine sovereignty of the people’s will, represented by parliament, over national decision-making. It would also pave the way for a truly independent judiciary and continued media freedoms, both essential for a free and democratic society.
The presence of all the coalition partners at the joint news conference, including the FATA representative, was symbolic of the mass support the decision enjoys. The confusion in the coalition ranks in the last few weeks was created, and becoming menacing, only because some major parties were wavering on these basic decisions. Not so anymore. The political direction has now been set and categorical and public commitments have been made by all the major parties which got a resounding mandate in the Feb 18 polls.
What is encouraging is that both the major political parties have shown a lot of flexibility to accommodate each other’s point of view in the tough negotiations they had for weeks. Mian Nawaz Sharif has agreed to put the restoration of the deposed judges behind Musharraf’s impeachment, a major concession. Asif Ali Zardari has come forward strongly to impeach Musharraf, something which was missing in his previous public positions. This is the core of a democratic polity and must be welcomed.
The major decision to prevent a national anti-Musharraf Tsunami in the country now lies with the besieged president himself. He can fade away from the scene with dignity and some respect by honouring the wishes of the people, much in accordance with his promises that if he was rejected by the people he would resign.
If he fights with a depleted political force, as his supporters are not only discredited and in political wilderness themselves, or if he uses his legal and constitutional wizards once again, the country will face grave uncertainty but in the end Musharraf may have to go anyway, disgraced and even unable to leave the country.
The key factor for him to consider is that if he strikes against democracy there is no institution which can then take control and run the country smoothly and overcome the ensuing political, economic and social turmoil. It would be his biggest disservice to the nation and would amount to taking down his country with him as he sinks into oblivion or eternity. The best course for him is to go. Mr President, please spare the nation and go.
