Pakistan’s Strike Turns Violent

Pakistan is supposedly America’s ally in the war on terror. At least, its government is. The fact, then, that the opposition has called what is effectively a general strike over the dismissal of the nation’s top judge is a huge problem. The fact that the strike has turned violent makes matters worse and a settlement less likely. President Musharraf is taking the situation very seriously, but then, if this isn’t serious, nothing could be.

The whole trouble began back on March 9 when the president suspended Iftikhar Chaudhry, the nation’s top judge, accusing him of misusing his position for personal gain. Specifically, he is alleged to have used his position to get his son a senior policeman’s post. The government says that several people have filed complaints that follow a similar vein.

The opposition argues that the Musharraf regime (which came to power in a bloodless coup and has been “ratified” by a referendum in which one name appeared on the ballot) doesn’t care all that much about corruption among its friends. For example, several members of the federal cabinet faced National Accountability Bureau corruption charges, until they joined the government. The opposition argues, instead, that the dismissal of Judge Chaudhry is an attempt to compromise the independence of the judiciary.

On Saturday, gunmen killed six members of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League in Karachi as they put up banners welcoming Judge Chaudhry to their city. Now, 15,000 troops and police are trying to keep a lid on the city. The death toll has reached 41 and assemblies of five people or more have been banned in Karachi. In Islamabad, Hammad Raza, an officer of the Supreme Court, was killed -- officials say by a robber, but one has one’s doubts.

The situation is reaching a critical juncture. President Musharraf wants to be re-elected president by the current parliament before it dissolves in October. His ambition is also to remain head of the army. The opposition is making noises about democracy and will of the people (many of whom prefer Al Qaeda to the USA). President Musharraf may prevail, but he’s learning that sitting on bayonets makes for an uncomfortable throne.

© Copyright 2007 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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