I fear the day when Pakistan becomes more of a liability than an asset in the GWOT. We already know that the SIS, their CIA, is very dicey and has manipulated a lot of intel on Bin Laden and others. I am coming to think that their turnover of AQ Khan was basically all the quid they were willing and able to pro quo the US.
Just last week when Musharraf announced that he would end the state of emergency, I was beginning to think optimistically. His allowing of Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif back into the political process was a crucial step in linking his Presidency to a future democracy. Plus he took off the uniform. Sure there was and is still a huge issue with the Supreme Court mess, but I think he was making progress. Now with the assassination of Bhutto, Musharraf and Pakistan have taken a body blow.
Somebody needs to be the figurehead for a huge crackdown on terror, and I think it has to be Musharraf's biggest ally in the SIS. The question is whether or not that institution can be trusted to do anything in the interest of a secular democracy. They may hold the key.
We know that Pakistanis have great trust in the Army, but the Army was not called out in response to the protests and gnashing of teeth over the death of Bhutto. That's a good move. But the Army and the SIS together are not going to save Pakistan. Could it be Sharif? Could it be one of the figures still under house arrest in the state of emergency?
This gets uglier every week. Pray that civil war does not begin.
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