Shaky Musharraf holds only the military card - Judicial crisis & consequent political storm escalate

[bridgit]

As a judicial crisis and consequent political storm escalate in Pakistan, President General Pervez Musharraf and his army face a stark choice: whether or not to use the military to suppress rioting that has so far raged out of control. Neither option bodes well for the man who will soon seek democratic re-election to the presidency.

'KARACHI - As Pakistan's judiciary crisis deepens and a political storm escalates as daily developments spin the situation into new dimensions, maintenance of public order is uppermost in the minds of those in the corridors of power at military headquarters in Rawalpindi.

Should they leave the maintenance of public order to the civilian administration and the police, who have already failed to control violent protests over the "reference" of Chief Justice Iftikhar

Chaudhary for alleged abuse of power to the Judicial Council, given that further mishandling could easily be exploited by opposition politicians?

Even bigger questions are, what options would be left for President General Pervez Musharraf if military or paramilitary forces are used to confront the mobs, and where would this leave the army? Musharraf, who is also chief of army staff, will seek re-election in presidential polls this year.'

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IC22Df01.html

[Kagemusha]

1. Only? ONLY!? That's about the only card that matters.

I think he'll do just fine as long a she keeps THAT card.

[SharonAnn]

2. We have only the military card to play in Iraq. How's that working for us?

[bridgit]

4. that seems the common theme of tyrant dictators alright...very poor futures...

[bridgit]

3. sure, like he's had any *other* card in his hand...

[malaise]

5. There's a much bigger crisis in Pakistan

Their cricket team lost in the match against Ireland and were eliminated from the World Cup before the first round was over. Then Sunday morning their coach was found dead in his hotel. In case you don't know it- Musharraf is the real boss of the cricket team.

Expect the coup I predicted.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20070321T000000-0500_120684_OBS_WOOLMER_DEATH__SUSPICIOUS_.asp


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/03/21/bc.cricket.pakistan.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

[bridgit]

6. D'ang! and here i thought the NFL & NCAA were tough...

:hi:

[malaise]

7. Politics, match-fixing and gambling

When combined you have a volatile mix. It's cast a shadow of gloom over our World Cup.

[bridgit]

8. that's messed up homey, but i guess you're right one of the guys bush sacked...

was supposed to have been investigating steroids in baseball so you know he had to go x(