By: Dr. Farooq Hassan

Recently, when Negroponte was in Islamabad, he is reported to have said that the matter of uniform was to be decided by General Musharraf. If for no other reason as a constitutionalist and as a lawyer I was disappointed by these sentiments as they signalled that in US policy analysis one person’s discretion for his own benefit was higher than the constitution of the country. However, within a short period of three weeks there has been an apparent shift in the US position. As recently as on July 25 and 26 the Congress while examining Pakistan’s assistance matters heard view’s that seems to suggest that Washington is now looking for alternatives beyond Musharraf.

This is the reason why suddenly Musharraf had to turn to BB by personally travelling to Abu Dhabi to negotiate with her directly. That also explains sudden harshness in the tone of our Foreign Minister when he was seen warning the American declaration on widely seen TV programme against pursuing the terrorists on Pakistani territory. This change is manifestly due the SC ruling in the Chief Justice matter and the Lal Masjid tragedy that went decidedly against the government. I understand on good authority that it is believed by some quarters in the US that even the military colleagues of General have told him privately that the time for his quitting the stage has arrived.

Read the whole essay here.

Dr. Farooq Hassan, D.Phil.;
BA (Juris),MA,M. LiTT (OXON);
DCL (Columbia),DIA(Harvard);
Sen.Adv.Sup.Ct. (Pakistan),
Barrister at Law (UK),Attorney at Law(US).

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