Pakistan: Musharraf Exits

By Minhaj Qidwai

ccun.org, August 24, 2008

The d-day came with few hours to spare for the impeachment process to be initiated in the National Assembly. The much awaited resignation of the President was finally rendered through a televised speech to the nation. Serious, somber, and depressed, the President's face said the untold story. A real commando at heart, and a man who took several bold decisions, risking his life in danger, President Pervez Musharraf's era ended today, salvaging some grace from his own hands by resigning himself, rather than to be asked to face charges and resign. Pervez Musharraf will go in the history, as the man who took charge of the country when an elected office bearer was about to establish an autocratic rule for himself, as the one who ended Pakistan's support to Taliban's after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, becoming one of Washington's staunch ally in the war against terrorism.

Despite of Musharraf's support to Americans, the Taliban are putting up a strong fight against the Americans. Even to the extent that now they virtually control the tribal region bordering Afghanistan and are pressing into the rest of Pakistan-the issue of Talebanization of Karachi is a new stunt that is coming on surface-a prelude for what we may witness in times to come. The Americans should be thankful for him to provide them with the much wanted support in the war against terror. Providing them with bases in Pakistan, allowing them to have an access to work through the Pakistani territory, catch the operatives, and breaking their rings. He was rewarded at the same time with bounties for catching up the operatives. Though Musharraf had forged a personal bond with Bush, he proved to be a tough customer for the Americans. Therefore, when the next person was ready to take over the assignment, Musharraf had to exit from the scene.

His rule of nine years of Pakistan is marred with controversies and even before becoming a President, he made Pakistan enter into a mini war with India, planning an ambitious turn to the Kashmir issue. Several attempts have been made on his life, and his security will be the utmost issue once he is not a President. However, the two incidents that led to his real downfall include the sacking of the judges, and the red mosque incident. Perhaps his biggest blunder was to call back the two ex-premiers of Pakistan and the NRO-that provided the indemnity to the widower of Benazir Bhutto.

The major changes witnessed in the country during his tenure include the mushroom growth of the media-in fact; this may have also been a reason for his downfall, as some media channels were quite vocal in their criticism of his government. Musharraf tried to construct a modern, enlightened state, on the guidelines of his hero Ata Turk, by giving more rights for the women, and the universal crack down on the madrassas that were the supposed sanctuaries for the training of Taleban.

This was a result of the instructions from the Americans. Despite his attempts to appease Americans, throughout the marriage of convenience between Pakistan and the Americans, one element played a vital role-the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency-that was responsible for ousting the Soviets from Afghanistan, and was probably still assisting the Talebans. It appears that President Musharraf was playing a double role. At one hand he was maintaining good relations with the Americans, and on the other keeping the role of ISI intact for its activities to continue. This double role probably soon came on the surface, when the attempt was made to change the control of ISI.

Musharraf through ISI probably continued to provide cover to the Taliban but still managed to convince the Americans that it was not a double game. Musharraf was trying to walk on a very tight robe, keeping a balance on the interests of the two concerned parties. The act was quite skillfully managed, before his departure time arrived.

This agency was the center of discussion during the recent visit of Pakistanʼs Prime Minister to United States. This was despite of an attempt to relocate the chain of command of the agency. In a diplomatic showdown, the Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency confronted the new Prime Minister, accusing that ISI helped plan the July 7 terror attack against the Indian Embassy in Kabul. By then Musharraf's fate was sealed and he gradually lost almost all the support from his internal and external allies. He had no option left, but to resign.

The army which was the main power of his support, had already decided to be neutral, a strong signal came on the independence day celebrations, when the army chief was absent from the official celebrations at the President house. In the end, his failure to manage his dual role, the balance was imbalanced.

With Musharraf's exit-what next? The country will have to choose the next President within a month, the economy has to be brought back on its foot, the power and food crises need to be resolved. However, politically, the coalition will pass through a survival test, and the restoration of judges will be another key issue that needs to be handled.

It was easy to get rid from the President than to handle the aforementioned issues. The road to Presidency will be bumpy. The race is on for the top slot. Who succeed needs to be seen? Whosoever replaces Musharraf will be just a ceremonial person, with the power in the hands of the iron man of Pakistan, who is probably stronger than the army at one time. It is time that our leaders recognize the tough challenges that are ahead of us. The enemies are ready to tear us apart. Are we ready to face them? May Allah grant us the strength and courage to face and overcome them. Amen.

Dr. Minhaj Qidwai submitted this article for publication of August 18, 2008.