Editorial
Impeachment moves in Pakistan
Put country's interest above everything else
PAKISTAN'S President Pervez Musharraf is certainly feeling the heat. With the partners in the ruling coalition finally agreeing put him through impeachment, Pakistan's politics is now in a new critical stage. When a new, elected government took over earlier this year, it was expected that a fresh new dawn had arrived for the country. Regrettably, though, the present crisis appears to be belying that hope. However, there can be no denying that much of the responsibility for how conditions have been turning out in the country must be borne by General Musharraf himself. His seizure of power in a coup nine years ago was a blow against Pakistan's fragile democracy. But what has made matters worse for his country are the steps he has taken in recent times to consolidate his hold on authority. His long reluctance to give up his position as army chief of staff and the brazen manner in which he went about dismissing the chief justice of the Supreme Court as well as nearly sixty other judges were moves that added to Pakistan's political instability.
In the present circumstances, the president has virtually been reduced to the position of a non-functional head of state. That is no cause for happiness, especially because it shows up the hostility between him and the government now in office. But the ruling Pakistan People's Party and its Muslim League (N) allies do have a point when they accuse Musharraf of having harmed the national interest in order to cling to power. For the president, therefore, these present times could be an opportunity to redeem himself somewhat. He has an option before him if he does not wish the impeachment proceedings to vitiate politics in the country. In his own interest as well as in the interest of Pakistan, he can resign. Alongside such a step, the government of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani needs to be pragmatic on its part. It certainly should bear in mind that impeachment being a serious constitutional issue (and with the president wielding authority over such issues as dismissing the government and imposing a state of emergency), there is a need for the two sides to find an honourable way out of the crisis. Musharraf's enemies need not be vengeful but instead let him leave office with dignity. If that approach is taken, Pakistan's democracy will have taken a new step in the right direction.
Of course, Musharraf can choose to fight it out in Parliament. Again, his desperation might make him do things that can damage Pakistan further. No one, in Pakistan or outside it, would wish either of these to happen. Whatever is the case, all concerned must put the interest of the country above their own.
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