Doubts over Musharraf regime's motives

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, DEC. 10. The former Prime Minister, Mr. Nawaz Sharif's departure for Saudi Arabia is expected to have profound implications for the military government as well as the political parties here.

The Musharraf regime, no doubt, can breathe easy but it would have to answer a number of inconvenient questions regarding its much publicised accountability drive. Bringing to book corrupt politicians was one of the military's major planks when it took over in October 1999. Several high-profile politicians including Mr. Sharif were facing charges under the accountability drive.

The Musharraf Government termed the grant of clemency to Mr. Sharif as a decision taken in the ``best interests of the country and the people''. However, there would be few takers for the explanation.

The Musharraf Government is already at the receiving end from the intelligentsia and the press for its inability to fulfill the expectations it triggered in the wake of Mr. Sharif's ouster in a bloodless coup. And the manner in which it cut a deal with the former Prime Minister is bound to further disillusion the people.

Otherwise, in the short-run at least it has every thing to gain. After the recent bailout package presented by the International Monetary Fund, Mr. Sharif's exile must have been the most pleasing news for the military top brass.

The Pakistan People's Party chief and former Prime Minister, Ms. Benazir Bhutto, and the Muttehida Quami Movement leader, Mr. Altaf Hussain, are both in London on exile.

With the leaders of the three main parties out of the country, the Musharraf Government can afford to chalk out an ``exit strategy''. The current scenario opens up several options for the military government.

It can consider reviving the suspended National and State Assemblies. It can install a civilian government of its choice without worrying about any serious resistance.

It is now relatively easy for the Government to control the political parties left behind by the leaders in exile. The military can prop up a leader of its choice from within the political parties and pit him against the established leadership. The possibilities are indeed endless.

At the political level, the journey of Mr. Sharif to Saudi Arabia is indeed a major setback for the political parties. The development could not have come at a more inopportune moment as the parties were trying to make a beginning by floating a new alliance of parties against the military. Only last week, the leaders of Mr. Sharif's PML Ms. Bhutto's PPP posed as comrades in-arms against the Army rule.

Over a dozen parties came together under the banner of Alliance for Revival of Democracy (ARD). In a hard-hitting resolution against the Musharraf Government, the alliance vowed to take to the streets and pressure the Army to return to the barracks and hold immediate elections under a civilian set-up. All that looks like a dream now.

For Ms. Bhutto and Mr. Hussain, absence from the country has not made any difference to their following. But the same cannot be said of Mr. Sharif. The PML suffered a split on the question of aligning with PPP and the rebel faction is more than happy with the latest turn of events.

Parties unhappy

As expected, political parties and religious organisations have hit out at decision to grant clemency for Mr. Sharif despite the serious charges levelled against him.

In a statement, the PPP said the release of Mr. Sharif as ``part of a plea bargain'' had exposed the real goal of the so-called accountability. ``It is clear that accountability has little to do with corruption and everything to do with achieving political ends by fair means or foul for a certain political agenda'', it said.

The Jamaat-e-Islami secretary-general, Syed Munawar Hussain, said allowing Mr. Sharif to go on exile was a major blow to the credibility of the regime's drive to punish the corrupt. ``It is unfortunate for the country that both the corrupt rulers of the country, Ms. Bhutto and Mr. Sharif, have succeeded in taking refuge abroad,'' he said.

Cricketer-turned-politician, Mr. Imran Khan, said Mr. Sharif's exit proved that his political philosophy was only to enrich himself and his clan.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Saudi Arabia, a political blackhole for Sharif?
Next     : Britain silent on Sharif exile