A thing or two from good old Pervez

General Pervez Musharraf, Chief of Pakistan Army & President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has more than one reason to worry. For one thing, the upcoming 2008 Presidential elections may just strip him off either, or both, of his offices. But what’s of bigger concern now is that, the General is cornered in the same country where seven years ago he overthrew the reigning government and set up a rule of his own.

The Chief is cornered, and how. The extremist forces, especially Taliban, take the biggest responsibility in this.

US and NATO intelligence reports say that al Qaeda and Taliban are operating camps and outfits in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. And predictably, the US has directed Musharraf to ‘compulsorily’ take ‘military actions’ against the extremists, else all development funds will stop. Just as Musharraf tried to abide by this and ordered prompt military action in the Lal Masjid case, the same military action was considered by many Islamists across the country as a war cry. Almost all worshippers and students of madarsas connected to the Lal Masjid declined to pray when the government appointed a new cleric in the masjid (which was also given an off-white colour).

Again, as Musharraf tried to strike a balance between US wants and his countrymen’s changing stances, the lawyers and justices of his country chose the same time to prove their point against the general’s authoritarian and anti-democratic actions against the Judiciary (when he unconditionally removed Chief Justice Mohammed Ifthikhar Choudhary). Again, the judiciary, along with Justice Choudhary, took it up then as a war-cry and made sure office is restored, in a perfectly legal way, to Choudhary.

Then again you have 2008 poll contenders and former Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto. Sharif is still on exile and is burning midnight oil planning ways to enter into his motherland. Bhutto, on the other hand, seems to have tried to strike a secret understanding with Musharraf. If this seemed to be some sort of relief for the General, then the media promptly reported that during the Lal Masjid crisis, both leaders remained mum.

Amid such uncertainties and political disasters, the good old Kashmir issue still exists. Obviously only a robot can think of so many problems at once, but Musharraf (and India) very well knows the fact that the more troubles he has inside his country, the lesser time he can give to the Kashmir dispute. And the lesser time any country gives to the Kashmir dispute, more the number of infiltrations and security lapses.

As I said, Musharraf is cornered. His political, military, diplomatic, and unfortunately even biological life seems to be very uncertain. It is in this situation that I feel somebody should shed a tear for the General, and try to remember what all he did that can be learnt by individuals, and nation states. The list, however, is short.

Firstly, Musharraf’s stance towards the Kashmir issue should be applauded. From the general who once forced his army into the region to the general who came to the same country and gave a diplomatically-approvable 5-point peace program, is an impressive journey. Also, the general gave his nod to the Iran-Pak-India pipeline, a file he could have kept in cold storage for a long long time.

Secondly, the strong attitude shown by him against Islamic extremists in his own country is a brave lesson. Sure he was under tremendous pressure from US and other allies, but taking such an unprecedented strong action should not go unnoticed.

Lastly, I would like to stress on just one small point. As of today, the disputes between India and Pakistan, including the Kashmir dispute, can have horribly negative implications including heavy terrorist actions and/or nuclear war.

It is at that behest that I feel that having a dictator in Pakistan who doesn’t mind striking peace initiatives with us and who takes anti-extremism seriously, is not just necessary but also a matter of extreme importance.