Pakistan on Brink of Return to Military Rule

[Asi-Irish]

We've had civilian rule for all of... oh, a year; and now it appears that we may see a return to military rule in the coming months.

Here's how it happened:
*Elections were called
*Nawaz Sharif & Benazir Bhutto were allowed to return to Pakistan
*Bhutto was assassinated
*Many people blamed Zardari for Benazir's death
*Zardari and his son became chairpersons of the PPP
*Zardari said he had no interest in taking up political office
*Zardari made an agreement with Nawaz Sharif's PML-N regarding the restoration of the judiciary
*The PPP won the elections, forming the federal government
*The PML-N did well, assuming control of the Punjab
*The PPP formed the government
*Zardari went against his word, became president and refused to reinstate the judiciary
*Zardari's judiciary barred the Sharif brothers from political office & imposed Governor rule on the Punjab

Now the talk is of rebellion and secession.

The long march of the Lawyers' movement is due to reach Islamabad next week.

The PPP has carried out mass arrests and has banned public gatherings (just like Musharraf).

We wait with baited breath for the next development.

One thing is for sure, there will be trouble next week...

The new conflict between Zardari and Sharif, whose families have been bitter political rivals for two decades, erupted last month when the Supreme Court -- dominated by judges named by Musharraf -- ruled in a decade-old case that Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab Province, should be disqualified from holding political office.

Zardari immediately removed Shahbaz Sharif from his post and imposed federal rule over the populous and influential province, long a stronghold of the Muslim League. The move has been extremely unpopular with the public and has badly damaged the president's credibility.

"It's mind-boggling. Zardari seems to view the affairs of state as wheeling and dealing, rewarding cronies and punishing enemies," said Talat Masood, a retired army general. "If he wants to be a dictator, he is sadly mistaken because the army is not going to be behind him. He is on a suicide mission."

washingtonpost.com

[stewiegriffin]

Probably better off under a benign dictatorship. I remember at the time(of the election) many here sang the praises of the PPP . The western press were unbelievably biased towards them too.

[Thac0man]

Don't think its going to happen. Zadari cannot place himself at the head of military state. He has not had enouhg time to appoint loyalists to key positions. To insure the armies loyalty he has to keep Musharraf happy. Musharraf is in no position to take over the reins of government now, nor indeed would be see the need to now Zadari has gotten rid of Sharif, is main rival.

The OP completely ignores reality by happily skipping over a few inconvienent facts. Zardari's son, is Bhuttos son too and carries her name. As soon as Zadari won, Musharraf was off the hook. Sharif is the main political enemy of both Musharraf and Zadaris party - and has always been. Whoever won would have to be nice to Musharraf if they wanted to keep the army on side. Idiots hooted about Musaharraf going to prison and promoted a ridicuals view that somehow a win for anyone but Musharraf in the Pakistani eletions would mean the dawn of a new democratic Pakistan. When its laid out as bluntly as that, its plain to see how idiotic that belief some people held and promoted was.

[Asi-Irish]

Update: Madman Zardari is bent on preventing the Long March from reaching Islamabad.

He has confiscated cargo containers to block off the roads in every major city. Dead bodies are now stuck behind police barricades. In Islamabad hotels are not allowed to put visitors up or serve food.

Zardri ordered the independent news channel, Geo, off the air the other day. His party members are deserting him. The high profile Minister for Information, Sherry Rehman, resigned on Friday.

Hundreds of activists have been arrested in raids on their homes.

Basically, Zardari and his Interior Advisor, Rehman Malik (who was responsible for Benazir's security, but was nowhere to be seen when she died), neither of whom have any long term interest in Pakistan, are calling the shots. Malik is connected with British intelligence and Mossad.

Riots have erupted in Lahore.

The Long March is due to reach Islamabad tomorrow, but with such a massive police operation, it will be difficult for large numbers of demonstrators to reach the city.

The next few days will be interesting.

[Asi-Irish]

Watching coverage live on TV, this is beginning to look like a mass uprising. Political activists, students, lawyers, members of civil society all taking part, and fighting the police.

[Catalpa]

Watching coverage live on TV, this is beginning to look like a mass uprising. Political activists, students, lawyers, members of civil society all taking part, and fighting the police.

Thanks for keeping us posted Asi

- will you be safe where you are BTW?

[Asi-Irish]

Thanks for keeping us posted Asi

- will you be safe where you are BTW?

Hi Catalpa, I'll be safe where I am.

Sharif's convoy is trying to make its way to the Lahore High Court.

The cops have placed buses across the streets to block the route.

For the past 5 minutes there was no voice over on the news, just roars and screams as the crowds smashed the crap out of the buses.

It is mayhem down there.. and it will most likely be mayhem here tomorrow.

Everyone is taking part. In all my time here I have never seen such solidarity... even the middle and upper classes are taking to the streets. People are preparing, masks, water bottles.. and they're determined not to back down.

Zardari and Rehmn Malik have warned that suicide bombers are in the city already and that any leaders taking part risk being the victims of targeted assassinations.

[Asi-Irish]

The crowds have beaten the police back and Nawaz Sharif's caravan is on the way. The crowds are massive and have exceeded all expectations.

SMS services have been blocked, but I've been in touch with friends who are gearing up for tomorrow.

I'll head downtown for a look in the morning.

[Clanrickard]

Pakistan is a failed state. A joint India/NATO operation is needed to take the place over, crush (and I mean crush) the Islamists and straighten the place out.

[Catalpa]

Pakistan is a failed state. A joint India/NATO operation is needed to take the place over, crush (and I mean crush) the Islamists and straighten the place out.

Your joking of course - that would make Iraq look like a walk in the park!

India occupy Pakistan? - like come on!