ISLAMABAD, April 27: A conservative American think-tank has said that Gen Pervez Musharraf’s decision to simultaneously hold two offices will undermine his credibility and make it difficult for him to face off the growing threat of Talibanisation in the country.
However, the Washington-based Heritage Foundation observed that a victory in free and fair elections due this year by secular political parities could guarantee for Pakistan a course of stability and moderation.
“It is increasingly becoming important that Pakistan hold free, fair and transparent elections that put in place democratic and secular forces. The more President Musharraf seeks to mollify Islamic radicals and sideline secular parties, the more influence religious radicals gain,” the foundation said in its recent study on Pakistan.
In late 2004, Musharraf backed out of a pledge to shed his military uniform by 2005, the report recalled, adding that his presidency is set to end on November 16 this year and so far he has shown no inclination to take off the uniform before he seeks re-election from the present parliament.
The study titled “Pakistan can achieve stability through democracy” has repeatedly mentioned the sidelining of mainstream political parties and General Musharraf’s failure to act decisively against the radicals.
President Musharraf is most likely to maintain stability if he engages with democratic elements of civil society and vigorously pursues the rule of law against the anti-democratic, violent elements, the study mentioned in its concluding remark. It said that the signs of ‘Talibanisation’ in northwest Pakistan and calls for Sharia-rule in the capital city have heightened the urgency for free, fair and transparent elections later this year.
The study gives an obvious impression that the researchers at the Heritage Foundation are fully convinced that given the chance, secular political parties can fare well in the upcoming elections to guarantee Pakistan a stable future.
It also impresses upon the moderate and progressive elements in Pakistan to find a way to work with one another, otherwise they will remain hostage to the agenda of radicals who use fear to gain acceptance in masses.
Referring to the ongoing judicial crisis in Pakistan, it said the protests demonstrate the main political parties’ increasing frustration with the military set up and their willingness to confront General Musharraf through peaceful demonstrations. President Musharraf’s handling of the judicial standoff will impact his ability to harness support from moderate and secular section of society against the radical elements, because they had also rejected what has been happening at the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa, the report said.
About the Lal Masjid episode, the study observed that the government’s cautious handling of the issue could back fire, as its ‘peace deal’ had reportedly emboldened extremists in the tribal areas. The government will need to reassert its authority to check further Talibanisation which has begun to spread to settled areas of NWFP, the report said.
Referring to Bangladesh’s successful crack down against Islamists in August 2005, the report calls on the Pakistani government to take assertive measures against the growing threat of religious extremism in the country.
Washington will also measure the success of Pakistan’s policies to tame its tribal areas by their impact on infiltration levels of Taliban fighters from its territory to Afghanistan, it said.