What next for Pakistan?

With PML-N miniters withdrawing from cabinet, but Nawaz claiming that the PML-N will not act to strengthen Musharraf, and will continue to support the PPP coalition from the back benches on an issue-by-issue basis, what comes next for Pakistani politics?

The PPP is unlikely to call for early elections and will probably try and last through the life of this parliament in the hope that by the time of the next election they can show results that will lead to votes being cast for them again. I doubt the PML-N, PML-Q, and MQM would ever unite to stop PPP plans, so the PPP may be able to successfully rule through playing off the leading 3 non-government parties against each other.

The restoration of judges itself strikes me as unlikely. The PML-N was unwilling to support the PPP’s judges plan as part of government, they would be unlikely to support the plan from the backbenches either.

The bright spot may be that free from having to haggle about judges with a reluctant PML-N, the PPP might just be able to get on with ruling the country now, and deal with real issues such as terrorism and food / oil price inflation.

Re: What next for Pakistan?

I think Zardari will get himself into the assemblies in next few months. He may consolidate his position by breaking away some Q leagres. A year from now most likely he will try to get rid of Musharraf, that will tell how long the PPP stays in power. If he is able to oust him, its likely to complete its tenure otherwise.....

Re: What next for Pakistan?

Whatever the overblown reports some sections of the media, the lawyers struggle is coming to an end. The crowds are getting thinner on the ground, plus all the major political parties except the PML N have never been interested in the judges issue i.e. PPP, ANP, JUI-F, as well as the MQM and others. They are more interested in tackling their local provincial-based issues or the real national crises - atta, electricity, inflation and terrorism etc.

Though, I still think some sort of "restoration of judges" will be implemented after the Budget in late June, along the lines of the PPP's wishes. Some lawyers will grumble, Aitzaz Ahsan will win a by-election on a PPP ticket, and then movement will die out. Eventually the PML N will just have to grin and bear it, as it would not be stupid enough to start a street movement, that would lead to violent confrontation with the PPP-led govt.

Re: What next for Pakistan?

^ You forgot to tell us what happens to Uncle Mush?

Re: What next for Pakistan?

Hello all!

One thing I have come to believe based on what is happening in India with our coalition government at the center is that it is better to have a single party with a majority rather than two or three parties forming a coalition. It just makes the government a continual haggling and deal meaking on each and every issue and ultimately very little gets done.

Regards
Pundit Vikram