Dr. Isaac Kfir: Pakistan in a Pressure Cooker
Dr. Isaac Kfir, researcher at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism, examines threats to the Pakistani state and international implications relating to Pakistan’s role in the war on terror. Islamic, ethno-nationalist groups and the Taliban are gaining influence, and Pakistan remains one of the likely hiding places for bin Laden and other senior members of al-Qaeda. Additional difficulty is rooted in the legal crisis following President Musharraf’s decision to suspend the country’s Chief Justice.
In order to prevent Islamists from winning upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, Musharraf might push for a postponement. However, both of these scenarios (postponement or the ascension of an Islamist government) would damage Pakistan’s global standing.
Tue, Mar 25th 2008, 08:33
Ilyas M. Mohsin, PPP, Platinum Contributor (296)
The PPP, being the biggest liberal party, won the largest number of seats in the National Assembly despite pockets of organized rigging by Musharraf’ supporters. A coalition is being put together under a liberal Prime Minister who is a senior leader of PPP and whose agenda is one of peace at home and abroad besides providing immediate relief to a harassed population which has been suffering from deprivations of even most essential items necessary for bottom-line existence.
Feb 18 proved that Pakistanis want democracy/ peace. The voting pattern proved that they do not want any extremism at home or abroad. No wonder the religious aprties got wiped out. However, the fact remains that Musharraf’ long tenure, abetted by US has damaged the goodwill of the superpower in many ways. The best way to revive the same is to give all-out support to the democratic dispensation put up by people. Once this is done, it will keep all the wolves out and allow us all to develop Caspian Sea resources for the benefit of the whole Global Community.