Alternative Title:
Pakistan Presidency: The Musharraf (It Ain't Over Til It's Over) Resignation
Author’s Opening Statement: This author takes no personal view or opinion (i.e. neither commends nor condemns) on former Pakistani President Musharraf and/or the merits or not of his past Presidency. Instead, he objectively analyzes the history, culture, situation (dynamics), organizations, personalities and behaviors to make an assessment and argument for what stealthily is going on and yet to come.
While the world’s attention moves between the Olympics, Georgia Conflict and now major U.S. political party conventions, it is important to not lose sight and more specifically keep vigilance upon what is stealthily brewing in Pakistan. A (nuclear armed) nation often unfairly overlooked in the bigger global picture, considering its important strategic geo-political positioning and seemingly inherent political instability, particularly during civilian rule as is the case now.
Not to mention it being the sixth most populous country in the world and the second largest Muslim population in the world (only Indonesia has more). Indeed, it should always be a concern that a country of such global significance could tilt to “Team Commulism”, and therefore monitored very closely.
An interesting, clever and covert Chess Match of sorts, is being played by former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. One with longer term impact and ramifications. If anyone thinks his recent resignation was final and the last anyone will ever see of him, that prospect is about as illusionary as believing that bridge in Brooklyn is not only still for sale, but the price was specially reduced just for them.
The Author provides his assessment of the resignation and what Musharraf is seemingly really up to and what the world can expect in the future. Call it Musharraf’s “Hide and Seek” Strategy (aka “Undermining (turning the tables) the Opposition vis-à-vis Resignation” Plan).
Note too the prospect of the “Saudi factor”, and that the Hide & Seek strategy was likely covertly blessed off by the Saudis, the country/leadership Musharraf most reveres in the Muslim world.
As a related sidebar comment, recall the Saudis (helped) convinced Musharraf earlier this year to repatriate his opponent, Nawaz Sharif from exile, when they saw Musharraf’s stubborn resistance to do so was only fanning the flames of Pakistani public backlash even more. In effect, they persuaded him to do it for his own good (at the time).
The author would argue Musharraf’s recent departure was effectively a “cleansing resignation” to free him up (clean the slate) from his recent political shackles, to pave the way for a future comeback. One where he won’t have to claw his way, but rather and quite ironically and seemingly now unbelievably, be welcomed back at the request of the same Pakistani voting majority that forced him out.
He weathered as best he could as President against the relentlessly pounding opposition coalition (and Pakistani people), and finally realized there was no win by staying (again, with a likely collusionary “discretion the better part of valor” gentle nudge by the Saudis). The coalition of two majority political parties and the Pakistani people being united for one purpose and one purpose only - the impeachment/removal of Musharraf.
On impeachment, he has always sworn he would never suffer impeachment or the process. The situation had reached the breaking point (i.e. enough votes for impeachment) where that now was inevitable.
Validating this, just prior to his resignation, it was reported in a Time.com article that:
“Musharraf's former Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao switched sides at the last minute after deciding to "support the country's democracy." Said Sherpao: "Musharraf is going to fight these charges on a moral ground to try to disprove them. But when it comes to the numbers, I think he's lost it." The coalition now boasts numbers surpassing the two-thirds required for impeachment.”
His immediate fate (i.e. loss of the Presidency) was therefore sealed. He had to resign - to be President again. He recognized it was finally time to cut his losses today if he was to live to fight again tomorrow. Resignation today leaves that door open in the future. It too likely puts the kibosh on the July 11, 2008 agreed UN sponsored probe of Bhutto’s assassination, specifically sought by Prime Minister Qureshi.
As noted in a July 11, 2008 CNN.com article:
