Thursday, November 22, 2007

Democracy in Pakistan?


OK, they had elections, so to speak and Musharraf' can take off his uniform put on the suit and tie then we can pretend all is fine and well in that country.

Still in control by emergency rule is there any doubt that Musharraf is calling the shots irrespective of any parliament?

I can't say the election was stolen as it was a farce in the first place.



Court Dismisses Legal Challenge Against Musharraf
Move Clears Way for Leader to Serve Another Presidential Term

President Pervez Musharraf's script for a tightly controlled political transition moved ahead on cue Thursday, as his hand-picked Supreme Court dismissed the final legal challenge to Musharraf becoming president for another five-year term

"All the issues making the politicians agitate will be resolved," said Tariq Azim Khan, the deputy information minister. "General Musharraf will take off his uniform and become Mr. President. The emergency definitely will be short-lived. The people should begin preparing for elections and let the best man win."

This is hilarious.

Yet even as the military-led government continued to free thousands of civilian protesters and opposition leaders detained in recent weeks, it intensified a crackdown on press freedoms and issued a decree that declared the permanent legal validity of Musharraf's emergency measures.

Off to a good start?

The decree, an amendment to the now-suspended constitution, appeared aimed at ensuring that no future court could find his actions illegal. Musharraf has refused to say whether he will lift emergency rule, which bans most civil liberties, in time for the planned elections.

We need a stable Pakistan; does anybody think this is the best option?

All we can do is watch this soap opera from a distance.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/22/AR2007112200200.html?hpid=topnews

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