Pakistan Turmoil: Benazir seeks Musharraf’s Resignation
Rizwan Ghani
November 13, 2007
The political turmoil is growing deeper in Pakistan and emerging differences over restoration of true democracy are a bad omen for the country and its people.
Benazir Bhutto the ex-PM and chairperson of Pakistan People Party (PPP) has been put under seven-day house arrest in Lahore following her plan to lead the mass rally on 13 Nov. The three-day rally was scheduled to start from Lahore, pass through different parts of Punjab and end in Islamabad for restoration of democracy. Reportedly, some 3,500 PPP political workers have been arrested in Lahore only since 12 Nov.
Benazir in her telephonic conversation with CNN from Lahore asked Musharraf to step down as president and chief of army staff. ‘He has lost the momentum’, said Benazir. She said that she would not serve under Musharraf because there is total trust deficit. She demanded for lifting of Martial law as precondition for free and fair elections. Benazir said that elections will be a sham with gagged press, ongoing jailing of political workers and civil society members including lawyer, human right activists and non-availability of voters list.
She said that she has run out of patience over recent developments and has decided not to work with Musharraf anymore. She denied any back channel direct or indirect contact with Musharraf and rejected possibility of talks with him or his representatives. Benazir accused Musharraf of dashing hopes. She said that he listens but does not act.
In response to question about her plans, she said that she has no plans.
She demanded for an interim setup with national consensus for holding of free and fair elections for smooth transfer of power.
She asked US to be firmer as she stressed on lifting of emergency rule for restoration of true democracy.
Benazir in her telephonic interview with BBC said that Musharraf should quit because he is ‘out of his depth’. Explaining out of depth she said Musharraf despite promises has failed to broaden democratic base for restoration of true democracy in the country. Instead he has thrice removed judges and allowed arrests of civil society members who (as moderates) could have formed coalition against terrorism.
Benazir said that she wanted to have deal with Musharraf to avoid state of anarchy towards which country is heading now. She said that coalition of interest has taken over in Pakistan. Musharraf has departed from the road map and instead of following political course he is now protecting small minority having links with radicals.
In parallel development Commonwealth Secretary General (CWS-G) in Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group Meeting has given 22 Nov. as deadline for lifting of martial law in Pakistan. He said that failure to meet the deadline could cost Pakistan its CW membership. In response to CWS-G statement, reportedly Pakistan High Commission to UK said that decisions are made in national interest not in response to deadlines.
Earlier British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that CW should consider suspension if Musharraf does not lift emergency. Canada’s FM Maxime Bernier has called for clearer deadlines for an end to emergency rule. Pakistan’s Attorney General has said that emergency could be removed in a month’s time from now. But few believe the statement because Musharraf himself has failed to give the deadline.
It is vital that the constitution is restored and other restrictions are lifted immediately”, said PM Gordon Brown’s spokesman, Michael Ellam. “ Without this we seriously doubt whether elections could be held under free and fair conditions”.
The CWS-G asked for lifting of emergency, restoration of constitution and human rights. He said that elections cannot be credible under emergency, arrests of civil society members and political workers, and restriction on press freedom. He also showed his concerns about Musharraf’s promise of doffing his uniform on 15 Nov.
The political turmoil is growing deeper in Pakistan and emerging differences over restoration of true democracy are a bad omen for the country and its people.
Benazir Bhutto the ex-PM and chairperson of Pakistan People Party (PPP) has been put under seven-day house arrest in Lahore following her plan to lead the mass rally on 13 Nov. The three-day rally was scheduled to start from Lahore, pass through different parts of Punjab and end in Islamabad for restoration of democracy. Reportedly, some 3,500 PPP political workers have been arrested in Lahore only since 12 Nov.
Benazir in her telephonic conversation with CNN from Lahore asked Musharraf to step down as president and chief of army staff. ‘He has lost the momentum’, said Benazir. She said that she would not serve under Musharraf because there is total trust deficit. She demanded for lifting of Martial law as precondition for free and fair elections. Benazir said that elections will be a sham with gagged press, ongoing jailing of political workers and civil society members including lawyer, human right activists and non-availability of voters list.
She said that she has run out of patience over recent developments and has decided not to work with Musharraf anymore. She denied any back channel direct or indirect contact with Musharraf and rejected possibility of talks with him or his representatives. Benazir accused Musharraf of dashing hopes. She said that he listens but does not act.
In response to question about her plans, she said that she has no plans.
She demanded for an interim setup with national consensus for holding of free and fair elections for smooth transfer of power.
She asked US to be firmer as she stressed on lifting of emergency rule for restoration of true democracy.
Benazir in her telephonic interview with BBC said that Musharraf should quit because he is ‘out of his depth’. Explaining out of depth she said Musharraf despite promises has failed to broaden democratic base for restoration of true democracy in the country. Instead he has thrice removed judges and allowed arrests of civil society members who (as moderates) could have formed coalition against terrorism.
Benazir said that she wanted to have deal with Musharraf to avoid state of anarchy towards which country is heading now. She said that coalition of interest has taken over in Pakistan. Musharraf has departed from the road map and instead of following political course he is now protecting small minority having links with radicals.
In parallel development Commonwealth Secretary General (CWS-G) in Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group Meeting has given 22 Nov. as deadline for lifting of martial law in Pakistan. He said that failure to meet the deadline could cost Pakistan its CW membership. In response to CWS-G statement, reportedly Pakistan High Commission to UK said that decisions are made in national interest not in response to deadlines.
Earlier British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that CW should consider suspension if Musharraf does not lift emergency. Canada’s FM Maxime Bernier has called for clearer deadlines for an end to emergency rule. Pakistan’s Attorney General has said that emergency could be removed in a month’s time from now. But few believe the statement because Musharraf himself has failed to give the deadline.
It is vital that the constitution is restored and other restrictions are lifted immediately”, said PM Gordon Brown’s spokesman, Michael Ellam. “ Without this we seriously doubt whether elections could be held under free and fair conditions”.
The CWS-G asked for lifting of emergency, restoration of constitution and human rights. He said that elections cannot be credible under emergency, arrests of civil society members and political workers, and restriction on press freedom. He also showed his concerns about Musharraf’s promise of doffing his uniform on 15 Nov.
The political turmoil is growing deeper in Pakistan and emerging differences over restoration of true democracy are a bad omen for the country and its people.
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