Anger brews against Musharraf regime

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, SEPT. 16. The first signs of unrest and anger against the military Government are beginning to surface here, over the prospect of allowing the Pakistani soil to be used by the U.S. and its allies to launch strikes against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

There has been no open protest. However, it is clear that the Government is faced with the big challenge of convincing the people of the compulsions which may leave Islamabad with little option but to help the U.S. operate against the Taliban.

The shape of things to come was evident from a hard- hitting statement by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief, Quazi Hussain Ahmed, at an all-party meeting in Lahore earlier in the day. While the original agenda was to demand early elections under the supervision of an independent Election Commission, developments arising out of the U.S. attacks and possible American retaliation against Afghanistan dominated the meeting.

``We advise Pakistani rulers and the United States to keep away from a path that led to the defeat and destruction of the Soviet Union. Arrogance and power games would bring nothing but destruction,'' the Qazi is believed to have said.

The stand of JI, largest religious party in Pakistan, is significant. Unlike other religious parties, there is no love lost between the Taliban and the JI. The JI chief has, on many occasions, denounced the Islamic version practised by the Taliban. So his opposition to the Government's offer of helping the U.S. and its allies against the Taliban has less to do with Afghanistan and more to do with the U.S. - it is a reflection of the prevalent `anti-American' sentiment.

Most of the political, religious and militant outfits have expressed serious reservations on giving a `free run' to the U.S. Some, like the Lashkar-e-Taiba, have gone to the extent of warning the Government of ``active resistance.''

All the parties - religious and political - and militant groups have condemned the attacks on the U.S. At the same time, they believe that the Bush administration is jumping to conclusions on culprits behind the attacks.

An impression has gained ground that fingers are being pointed towards the Saudi dissident, Osama bin Laden, without ``sufficient and conclusive proof.'' While the extremist elements have dubbed the accusation as a `Zionist' plot to defame Islam, the society in general is agitated over the perceived U.S. `bias.'

It is difficult to guess how the Musharraf Government will tackle the ground situation within Pakistan. It is the fear of a `backlash' from within that has forced it to adopt a cautious approach. The process of consultation with a cross- section of the society, initiated by the President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, is part of the effort to prepare the society for any eventuality.

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Section  : International
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