The fluid situation (08082008)

Three days ago the talks between the coalition partners got underway amidst much speculation, the first round of talks ended on a positive note with both parties coming out with statements implying that they had sufficient numbers and agreement to move against the President for his impeachment. The President reacting to this news obviously cancelled his planned departure to Beijing with foreign office asserting that the visit was not cancelled but merely rescheduled. The President also went into consultation with his key allies and advisors. Another significant development took place almost simultaneously in which it was announced that the Army Chief had called a meeting of the Corps Commanders, there was no information whether this was a pre-planned meeting or called on the spur of the moment to discuss the current situation prevailing in the country. According to some sources "Brigade Commanders" who are entrusted with the troop movements were also invited to this meeting, with obvious implications.
However, the second round of talks, after initially reaching a positive outcome nearly broke down when it was announced that the President had signed a summary put up by the Law ministry for restoration of several selected judges of the Sindh High Court. The timing was so cleverly managed by the President to ensure that the talks will fall apart. Nevertheless, sanity prevailed and the PPP leadership was able to convince their partners that the summary had been sent many days ago and was not a fresh move, an agreement was reached to keep the summary in abeyance and to move forward on the new agenda of considering impeachment of President Musharraf.
Many people are holding the politicians responsible for the current mess and allege that the elected representatives are simply not competent to govern. This is precisely the theme of the President house. Over past five months circumstances have been created that have ensured that it was not possible for the elected representatives of the people to govern the country and now the President is trying to cash in on that theme.
The political leadership is certainly at fault for dithering and not taking decisive action immediately when it was most effective. It is alleged this was done due to personal interests and political expediencies. Nevertheless, lack of cohesiveness and indecisiveness on the part of the politicians sufficiently strengthened the President to consider using his powers under 58(2B). But the real threat to the system is not from the President who will not succeed unless the Army decides to throw in their support.
Indications are that army is now considering all options and given the aggressive posture adopted by the CIA, White House, Indians and Karzai government against ISI, which is strongly backed by the Establishment, the situations has become so fluid that anything can happen. The elected representatives must move forward and take decisive action to save the collapse of the system because if they falter now then they may have to wait for another decade before they get a chance.