Mike Pouraryan
The Post-Moretum on President Musharaf's Resignation
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Pakistan's Challenges...
I wrote earlier on President Musharaf's resignation. I wanted to find out what was the reaction of the two powerful men to this resignation. I found was a statement on PTV, the official Pakistan State Television, noting Zardari's statement that it was a victory for Democracy. I also saw a statement from Zardari's son noting that a threat to Democracy was removed. I was laughing when Zardari and his son talked about Democracy.
I called Musharaf a patriot. I continue to do so. Because as I survey the Pakistani landscape post-musharaf, I do not like what I see. What is the truth? The government used Musharaf as an excuse. Musharaf made some profound mistakes. The mistakes finally caught up with him and he admitted it. Now that the Laurel and Hardy of Pakistani Politics, Zardari and Sharif, now have to figure out how to contain inflation, fight an insurgency on the border with Afghanistan and a near rebellion in Baluchestan. When Zardari smiled talking about retiring to play golf, I did not see through the fraud that he was. I may have to change my mind on Musharaf as well. I am just so sorry to see how a country's leadership can be so beholden to a foreign power. Who will suffer? The ordinary Pakistani on the street who has to buy food, cooking gas and other basic necessities. That's the tragedy right now. I submit that Musharaf was right in that respect as he bid farewell and left the Presidential Palace. As for the United States, the choices are so clear-cut either.
I called Musharaf a patriot. I continue to do so. Because as I survey the Pakistani landscape post-musharaf, I do not like what I see. What is the truth? The government used Musharaf as an excuse. Musharaf made some profound mistakes. The mistakes finally caught up with him and he admitted it. Now that the Laurel and Hardy of Pakistani Politics, Zardari and Sharif, now have to figure out how to contain inflation, fight an insurgency on the border with Afghanistan and a near rebellion in Baluchestan. When Zardari smiled talking about retiring to play golf, I did not see through the fraud that he was. I may have to change my mind on Musharaf as well. I am just so sorry to see how a country's leadership can be so beholden to a foreign power. Who will suffer? The ordinary Pakistani on the street who has to buy food, cooking gas and other basic necessities. That's the tragedy right now. I submit that Musharaf was right in that respect as he bid farewell and left the Presidential Palace. As for the United States, the choices are so clear-cut either.
