Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf In Trouble?
Yes, says The Economist. It seems that Pakistan’s rival centers of power are converging on one theme. “After showdown talks on August 6th and 7th Mr Nawaz Sharif and the PPP’s leader, Asif Zardari, reached a provisional agreement to impeach the president and restore the judges (sacked by President Musharraf).
(Meanwhile in a dramatic development President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday dropped plans to travel to Beijing to witness the Olympics 2008 amid deepening political crisis at home, says The Khaleej Times. More here…) To read my earlier post please click here…
The Economist adds: “Pakistan is sliding. Taliban commanders are taking over more of the country’s ungoverned north-west by the day. From there they launch attacks into Afghanistan, killing NATO soldiers and countless Afghans. America, hitherto a remarkably forgiving ally, appears to think Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is assisting them.
“The economy is hell-bound. Inflation is running at 25% a year. The stockmarket in Karachi has lost 35% of its value since April. During blackouts, Pakistani businessmen trade tales of capital flight. Foreign-exchange reserves—once emblematic of economic recovery—now barely cover three months of imports.
“Having ruled Pakistan more or less outright for almost a decade, Mr Musharraf is blamed for many of its troubles. According to a poll for the International Republican Institute, an American NGO, 83% of Pakistanis want him out and the judges reinstated.
AFP adds: “Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will defend himself against impeachment, aides said Friday, a day after the ruling coalition vowed to launch proceedings to drive the key US ally from power.
“Musharraf was set to meet his top legal and political advisers to discuss his dwindling options in the face of the most serious challenge to the former general’s position since he seized power in a bloodless military coup in 1999.” More here…
