Editorial
A crisis of confidence
Pakistan’s politicians must do better for themselves
The element of uncertainty which has been a feature of Pakistan's politics since its general elections on 18 February persists, in a number of ways. That has, of course, little to do with the regime of General Pervez Musharraf, who has already called the newly elected national assembly into session. So far the president has given little cause for anyone to doubt his intentions, even if the election results have not been to his advantage. The problem, though, comes from within the Pakistan People's Party. As the single largest winner of seats, though not an outright majority, the party is poised to form the next government in alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League of Nawaz Sharif. Improbable as the alliance between these old rivals may seem, the fact remains that in the circumstances it is the only credible option before the politicians opposed to President Musharraf.
But an exercise of such an option now has run into difficulties with the growing tension within the PPP on the issue of who will take charge as the new prime minister. In terms of political pragmatism, that individual should be party vice chairman Makhdoom Fahim Amin, for it was he who kept the organisation going in the years Benazir Bhutto stayed abroad in the face of the corruption cases against her and her husband. In light of Ms. Bhutto's assassination in December last year and in view of the PPP's good show at the elections, it was assumed that Amin would lead the next government. Of late, though, the pro-Zardari elements in the PPP have been working against him, one reason being that they would like Asif Zardari to be the new prime minister. Rumours, all malicious, were spread about Amin's closeness to the military regime. It was a refrain even Nawaz Sharif and his people picked up last week. It is small wonder then that Pakistani politics today is in a state of confusion.
Pakistan's politicians, and that means everyone who has waged a long battle for democracy to return to the country, will be doing themselves much credit if they can tide over the crisis of confidence they are now going through among their own ranks. Besides, to what extent the reputation of an already troubled Pakistan will take a dive should Asif Zardari lead the government by pushing Makhdoom Amin aside is a thought that might sadden many, and not just within Pakistan.
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