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Ordinary Pakistanis Unfazed As Politicians Balk Musharraf Move
ISLAMABAD, June 21 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Military ruler General Pervez Musharraf's donning of the presidential robes has had little impact on ordinary Pakistanis troubled by inflation and unemployment, they said Thursday, but was seen as a blow for politicians expecting a restoration of civilian rule, commentators said Thursday.
Musharraf's action Wednesday made it clear that he was not going to transfer power to politicians but would only involve them in a military-led form of government, politicians and analysts said.
"It is a national tragedy," said Nawabzada Nasrullah, chief of the 18-party Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD).
Musharraf, who toppled prime minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless military coup on October 12, 1999, saying at the time his government would restore investor confidence and stem religious activism, was sworn in as president on Wednesday after pushing aside the previous incumbent, Mohammad Rafiq Tarar, who said he did not step down voluntarily, and was dismissed.
The presidential post in Pakistan is largely ceremonial. Musharraf also holds the positions of chief executive and chief of the army.
Since last year, scores of people have died in sectarian rivalry and recurring shooting and bombing incidents while the flow of foreign investment has also not lived up to the government's expectations.
Justifying his action he said it would allow him to pursue his agenda of reforms to rid the country of poverty, improve the stagnant economy and slash expenditures on administration and improve law and order.
The military ruler said he had decided to become president to "protect and preserve" the reforms he had undertaken to revive the economy, stem corruption and restore "true" democracy after more than a decade of "sham" democracy.
But a finance ministry document released a few days before the political change put the country's growth rate at a mere 2.6%, against a projected 4.5%, the lowest in almost two decades, "due to the catastrophic impact" of drought on agriculture sector.
For next year also the target is just 4.0%.
Around 60% of the country's budget is spent on defense and servicing of foreign debts that have accumulated to $38 billion after years of mismanagement.
Musharraf insists the fruits of reforms will ripen over the next few years but, many observed, after concentrating all powers in himself the General now directly faces all criticism over economic woes and other ills such as sectarian unrest.
The move itself has also prompted a backlash of criticism from inside and outside Pakistan.
Nasrullah said Thursday that by assuming the office of president "without any legal authority, Musharraf has abrogated the constitution."
The alliance would meet on Monday to discuss a new strategy, he said.
Reza Rabbani, a leader of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP), said: "The dictator has come up with his real face. His intention is to cling to power."
Bhutto, facing corruption charges at home, lives in self-exile in London. In a statement released by her party she said Musharraf's act was reminiscent of the actions of three previous military rulers in Pakistan.
"The assumption of presidency by the army chief is another dark chapter in the history of Pakistan and its people," she said.
Describing Musharraf as "unelected, unrepresentative and an illegitimate holder of the office," she said like his predecessors, he would now hold a referendum or force the local council members to vote for him.
Pakistan has been ruled by the military for almost half of its 54-year history. Field Marshal Ayub Khan governed for a decade after ousting the last governor general, Iskandar Mirza, in 1958. He was succeeded by General Yahya Khan for three years until 1971.
Then General Mohammad Zia ul Haq deposed Bhutto's father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in July 1977 and remained in power for 11 years until his death in a plane crash in August 1988.
Musharraf on Wednesday promulgated a "Succession Order" elevating himself to the position of president for an indefinite period.
"The chief executive shall hold office as president until his successor enters upon his office," the order said.
Another proclamation formally dissolved the parliament and provincial assemblies, suspended by Musharraf after the coup.
"By assuming the power of the president, Musharraf has tightened his grip and established himself as a long-term player in the power politics," political analyst Riffat Hussain said.
Musharraf has been ordered by the supreme court to restore democracy by October 2002. He has said the assumption of presidency would not hamper the country's return to democracy.
"There should be no doubt whatsoever that the elections to the national and provincial assemblies would be held as stipulated, under the supreme court verdict," he said after taking the oath.
But the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said, "The people of Pakistan now face yet another indefinite period of arbitrary rule".
Musharraf's move also raises "grave questions about the future of democracy, the circumstances in which the promised general elections will be held and the restraints under which the elected authorities will be obliged to function," HRCP chairman Afrasiab Khattak said
However, while organizations and civilian political parties and their leaders balked at Musharraf's assumption of the presidential post, ordinary Pakistanis, facing inflation and unemployment. were impacted little by the move.
While sweets were distributed when Musharraf ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif's government 20 months ago, there was barely any expression of joy or regret over his assumption of the presidential office.
The euphoria generated after the October 1999 coup has dissipated after his government's two budgets raised prices of oil, and hiked utility bills and foodstuffs prices.
"We need cheap fuel, food and electricity, no matter who is sitting in the President House," said Khalida Babar, a housewife in Islamabad's suburban Golra Sharif district.
About 40 million people of Pakistan's 140 million fail to meet their daily nutritional needs.
"Who cares?" added 45-year-old cab driver Abdul Ghani. "Prices of essential items including petrol and diesel have been skyrocketing. It makes no difference for us as to who comes to power and who goes."
"I quit taking interest in politics after realizing the rulers take all steps to safeguard their interests. My interest is to protect my job," said Imran Khan, 35, a public sector worker whose employer is planning job cuts.
"The country needs stability and what Musharraf has done leaves him with no excuses now if he fails to deliver on his promises," a Lahore-based scholar Suhail Ahmed said.
"I don't think it is a bad decision. Musharraf will certainly give continuity to his agenda but now he cannot shirk from his responsibilities," a shopkeeper added.
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