PAKISTAN: Pakistanis react Musharraf's pledge to end a state of emergency next month

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday (November 29) he would end a state of emergency next month, bowing to domestic and international pressure to restore normal government ahead of general elections in January. In an address to the nation on the day of his inauguration as a civilian president, for a second five-year term, a day after he stepped down as army chief, Musharraf also promised that the election would be held under the constitution in a free and transparent manner on January 8. The 64-year-old leader said the country would be stronger with him as a civilian leader and his hand-picked successor, General Ashfaq Kayani, in charge of the military. Most analysts agree. "General Kiyani's becoming Chief of Army Staff would have far reaching implications in the sense that President Musharraf's power is undoubtedly diluted as a result of that, because now as far as the army is concerned most of the power will be naturally concentrated now in General Kiyani," political analyst Lt. General Talat Masood told Reuters Television. "And traditionally army has always enjoyed a lot of power political as well as, even in certain ways, economic in Pakistan," he added. By quitting as chief of the army, which brought him to power in a military coup in 1999, Musharraf has cut himself off from his main power base and many Pakistanis believe that life will not be easy for him from here on. The United States, Pakistan's biggest ally in the West, has earlier publicly called for an end to emergency rule, fearful that instability will undermine the fight against al Qaeda and the struggle against the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan. White House Press Secretary, Dana Perino, said President Bush is pleased with Musharraf's decision to end the state of emergency that has gripped Pakistan. Some Pakistani hailed the decision, saying it will boost confidence among people and political parties. "Decision to lift emergency is a good measure. It will boost confidence in people. The political parties will contest election freely," said Mukhtar, an Income Tax lawyer. But the lawyers have had enough of a man who came to power in a bloodless coup in 1999. "The goal for which emergency was imposed has been achieved when an important institution of the country was destroyed by crippling it. So now there is no justification to prolong it," said Shahid Kaleemi, a lawyer. Washington will keep up the pressure on him to tackle Islamist militancy. He faces widespread resentment at home and the January vote will likely install a legislature hostile enough to contemplate impeachment. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif returned on Sunday (November 25) and another old rival, Benazir Bhutto, who came back last month have argued the vote could not be free and fair if held under emergency powers. Sharif said after meeting some of his opposition colleagues that they had decided "in principle" to boycott the vote but they would consult Bhutto and aim to reach a final decision at an all-party conference. But the man on the street is fed up of petty party politics and wants the politicians to unite for the sake of the country. "For the sake of the country, not only Musharraf and Benazir but Nawaz Sharif, Qazi (Hussain Ahmed, Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami) should all get together, because they are there only because Pakistan is there. If Pakistan ceases to exist, there will be no point in their protests," said Saifur Rehman Tariq. Others, seeing Musharraf's doffing his uniform as a positive gesture, are now hoping that he will hold elections on time. "Elections should be held, but in a transparent manner. They should also be held on time. This is in the best interest of the country. And his (Musharraf) decision to doff his uniform was also a good decision," said shopkeeper Mubashir Ahmed. Most analysts think elections will be held on time and expect Opposition parties will take part. Sharif is waiting to see if he will be barred from running in the election by criminal convictions he says were politically motivated. The election commission has asked him to appear on Friday to respond to a complaint over his candidacy. Bhutto was gearing up on Friday for a January election as another opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, hoped to persuade her to boycott the vote.

ITN Source | November 30, 2007

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