I am not a seer hence don’t expect prophecies from me. Yet I’ll like to share with you my understanding of the situation. I believe that it is indeed a very timely and well considered move to impeach. I am particularly pleased by the modus operandi adopted for the removal of the President. For instance had the ruling coalition chosen directly to head for impeachment procedure it could have caused a degree of embarrassment to the establishment as it is known that the process involves trial like hearings that could be broadcasted live on television. There indeed are policy choices by Musharraf which cannot be defended at any rate. Had such a trial taken place or does indeed take place this would have been akin to washing the dirty linen on the street. Instead the government has chosen to first give Musharraf the option of graceful exit by seeking vote of confidence in the parliament and the assemblies of the federating units. If I know anything about the political dynamics of the country I can bet that he will not win the vote no matter how much horse trading takes place.  Also I believe that the courts will also not endorse any presidential attempts to sabotage the process because ground realities have changed beyond Musharraf’s comprehension. If I am worried about any segment or department it is the Election Commission yet even if this institution is exploited it will only mean the delay of the final achievement and nothing else.
My understanding is that the armed forces and the establishment in general will not side with Musharraf in this situation. Why? Because of the anti-Musharraf sentiment on the street. With the exception of the spineless sycophants and his lieutenants there is no one who wants him to stay put. The most plausible logic is that the dynamics have changed on ground and Musharraf is a fixture of past. The more the country tries to march to the future the more it is dragged back by his presence. The retired general had a peculiar way of ruling the country which is not conducive to the changing ground realities. Since he believes in realism everyone expects him to resign. The establishment’s expectation from him would be that he seeks safe passage and leaves without any further embarrassment to his benefactors. I am sure that the Bush administration would have chosen to stand with him but he has become a defaming factor for every politician associated with him both here and abroad.
If my information is correct the president’s relations abroad have already been alerted to the fact that he may soon leave his position and the country. It is my understanding that if he leaves now his safety will be ensured by the establishment and the US administration. However if he does not, the mere withdrawal of high security status granted to him could really jeopardize his security. Also there are indications that the UN may soon take Benazir Bhutto assassination inquiry. Again the claims of his taped recording with Benazir Bhutto that have surfaced in Ron Suskind’s book are highly implicating. Even in this context he would be better advised to disappear from the public attention like Shaukat Aziz so that the antipathy to his very existence can be reduced. Once the impeachment process starts the allegations leveled in the chargesheet would become formal and his eventual compromise would not help him either. The sooner he makes up his mind and says goodbye the better it is for him and for the nation.
Another of my understanding and my hope is that Musharraf in spite of the presence of inept advisers will show some reason and step aside before the impeachment process. I know his faith in his make believe destiny is of the messianic proportions. However this is the time when all such fantasies start crumbling and people see reason. Perhaps Musharraf’s graceful mother and wife can convince him to see reason. It is a desperate appeal because his further stay in power will only jeopardize his safety and the nation’s integrity. Please have mercy on your motherland.
And now a request to the civil society and the lawyers’ movement. Dear sirs, show some patience, empathy and trust. It is my understanding that the impeachment move is an honest attempt at resolving the country’s crises. I see reason also in the fact that the first priority is given to the impeachment rather than the judicial issue. If once the president is gone and the judges are restored it will ensure that the judicial system remains free of political or vindictive exploitation. Sirs please have faith.
And a piece of advice to Altaf Hussain. Don Altaf if you try to muddy the waters you’ll be better advised to start counting your days.

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