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Pakistan's Political Problems

Joe McGowan

Pakistan sank into a State of Crisis last week. On November 3, the country's president, General Pervez Musharraf, declared a state of emergency and suspended the nation's constitution. Like the United States Constitution, Pakistan's establishes the rules by which its government functions. Musharraf, in effect, has declared that the rules no longer apply.

The president also shut down news reporting and fired high-level judges, including the chief justice of Pakistan's Supreme Court. And Musharraf postponed parliamentary elections set for January 2008.

Pakistan's leader claims his actions are needed to combat a growing threat from Islamic militants. But his opponents say Musharraf is trying to cling to power. He took control in 1999 in a military takeover. Recently, he has been fending off challenges from political rivals and defiant judges.

Lawmakers had elected Musharraf to a second term as president last month, but the legality of the election was questioned. Pakistan's Supreme Court was expected to rule that Musharraf was ineligible for another term. Then, emergency rule was declared. "He imposed (a state of) emergency to save his own skin," a shopkeeper in Islamabad told TIME.

Reaction at Home and Abroad

Thousands protested the clampdown. Lawyers and other activists demonstrated in several cities. In Lahore and Islamabad, police fired tear gas and beat protesters with batons. At least 2,000 people had been arrested as of November 8.

Last Tuesday, opposition leader Benazir Bhutto urged Pakistanis to take to the streets and "show their power." Bhutto planned to lead a major protest rally on Friday.

On Wednesday, President George W. Bush urged Musharraf to restore democracy and hold elections on time. The next day, the Pakistani president announced that elections would take place by mid-February. The U.S. depends on Pakistanóand its leadersóto help in the fight against terrorism. But American influence is limited. For now, Pakistan's future remains uncertain.

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