Pakistan after Musharraf

      The resignation of the Pervez Musharraf, leaves a leadership vaccum that is fraught with danger for this nation of 170 million. The civilian leadership must act adroitly, but this is the problem. There is no love lost between left- wing Asif Zardari  ( husband of the late Benazir Bhutto )  and the right-wing Nawaz Sharif ( who was ousted in 1999 by Musharraf ). Their parties draw support from different regions of Pakistan and have been rivals for power for many years. Furthermore, both of them have been tainted with charges of corruption.

     Pakistan is beset with regional, tribal, religious and economic problems. Poverty is rampant, and this has becoming a recruiting ground for the madrassahs ( religious schools ), and religious extremists. The attack on the Red Mosque, by Pakistani authorities is an indication of the seriousness of the problem. Pakistanis have been victims of the zamindari system, which has allowed the large landowners,( like the Bhuttos ) and the other wealthy families  to dominate power. Education, health care  and the economic well-being of the great majority have been neglected, if not repressed.

      The next few weeks will be crucial. If Sharif and Zardari are able to come together and agree on a president, and if this choice meet with the approval of the military, then there is the possibility that Pakistan can emerge with strength. If it drags on and there is no perception of a solution, then there will be chaos. It is quite possible that violence, even civil war will break out. This is the time for leadership and statesmanship and not personal ambition.

     The USA has lost one its key allies. It is on the verge of losing another one in Georgia and the third, Karzai is holding on by his fingernails. The Bush administration, in its final days, is seeing its foreign policy unravel. Untold billions have been spent on the War on Terror The bloody war in Iraq and Afghanistan continue with no end in sight. A nurtured friend is  under attack in Georgia . Musharraf is gone after $ 11 billion, and October has not yet arrived. What is next? 

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