Islamabad: To put an end to rumours of a move made six months ago, Pakistani President told the Pakistanis that their country was not a “’banana republic’, where such things happen suddenly.”
Pakistan has been filled with tremendous fear over the deepening crisis, and the President’s word may come as an assurance. However, the crisis Musharraf is facing is real and self-induced.
An attempt to sack the country’s Chief Justice, and the use of excessive force to cow the media and counter protests has created the greatest challenge to Musharraf's authority over the Muslim country since he came into power seven years ago.
As things slipped out of hand over the weekend, Musharraf’s only defence was to tell the people that a conspiracy had been hatched to turn people against him.
The United States, worried by instability in an allied country next door to Afghanistan and Iran, called for cool heads to prevail.
Rumours escalated by Sunday in the country with the talk that the Constitution had been suspended, the National and provincial assemblies dissolved and martial law declared.
Though it was a rumour, but analysts say it could happen again.
''Musharraf is capable of declaring martial law, and he's capable of making a political retreat and calling it a victory,'' said Najam Sethi, editor of the Daily Times newspaper.
Since being carved out of India as a homeland for South Asia’s Muslims, generals have ruled the country for more than 60 years. And Pakistanis are used to seeing leaders resort to desperate measures.
The latest crisis began on March 9 with the suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary on vague allegations of misconduct, setting off protests by lawyers and opposition politicians.
Analysts suspect the motive for axing Chaudhary was fear that he would block any attempt by Musharraf to hold onto his role as army= chief, which he is obliged to relinquish this year.
Television images of police thrashing lawyers in Lahore, and ransacking the offices of Geo TV during a demonstration in Islamabad on Friday, stoked public outrage with Musharraf.
''Who is hatching this conspiracy, so that everything is put on me?'' was the harassed President’s complaint the next day.
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