A CRISIS AVERTED, BUT PAKISTAN UNREST MAY NOT BE OVER
Omar Waraich
Time, March 19, 2009
The drums have fallen silent, the dancing in the streets has ended, and Pakistan's stock exchange has rebounded, but Monday's political compromise that ended a dangerous standoff has not necessarily ensured political stability. Monday's announcement of the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and 60 other judges sacked two years ago by then President Pervez Musharraf was a momentous victory for an opposition-backed protest movement. It also satisfied the concerns of Pakistan's military chiefs to avoid a confrontation on the streets — while easing U.S. fears that partisan infighting would imperil Pakistan's battle against extremism. But the outcome of the standoff has dealt a body blow to President Asif Ali Zardari and his ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP), potentially opening the way to further political turmoil.
Political support for Zardari and his government was flagging even before the showdown over the judges, which revealed cracks within the PPP as key party leaders either abandoned the cabinet or attacked it from the sidelines before the president's embarrassing retreat.
Monday's announcement by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani that the judges would be reinstated was greeted with acclaim, although few bought his explanation that the PPP had always sought the return of Chaudhry. Despite the PPP having backed the lawyers' movement to demand that Musharraf reinstate the judges fired in 2007, once in power Zardari backtracked, prompting accusations that he feared an independent judiciary might reinstate corruption charges against him dropped as part of an amnesty proclaimed by Musharraf, the legality of which has been questioned.
Omar Waraich
Time, March 19, 2009
The drums have fallen silent, the dancing in the streets has ended, and Pakistan's stock exchange has rebounded, but Monday's political compromise that ended a dangerous standoff has not necessarily ensured political stability. Monday's announcement of the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and 60 other judges sacked two years ago by then President Pervez Musharraf was a momentous victory for an opposition-backed protest movement. It also satisfied the concerns of Pakistan's military chiefs to avoid a confrontation on the streets — while easing U.S. fears that partisan infighting would imperil Pakistan's battle against extremism. But the outcome of the standoff has dealt a body blow to President Asif Ali Zardari and his ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP), potentially opening the way to further political turmoil.
Political support for Zardari and his government was flagging even before the showdown over the judges, which revealed cracks within the PPP as key party leaders either abandoned the cabinet or attacked it from the sidelines before the president's embarrassing retreat.
Monday's announcement by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani that the judges would be reinstated was greeted with acclaim, although few bought his explanation that the PPP had always sought the return of Chaudhry. Despite the PPP having backed the lawyers' movement to demand that Musharraf reinstate the judges fired in 2007, once in power Zardari backtracked, prompting accusations that he feared an independent judiciary might reinstate corruption charges against him dropped as part of an amnesty proclaimed by Musharraf, the legality of which has been questioned.
(...) [artículo aquí]
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