Regime change meltdown has begun in Pakistan, says paper

The next couple of months are crucial for the future of Pakistan, given recent political developments.

New Delhi, Sept 24 : The next couple of months are 'crucial' for the future of Pakistan, given recent political developments.

According to an article appearing in the Asian Tribune, the deportation of former Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif amounts to the judiciary in Pakistan, and the Supreme Court in particular, receiving a slap on the face.

Sharif's humiliation, arrest and finally his being packed off to Saudi Arabia in spite of the Supreme Court giving him and his brother Shahbaz Sharif the right to return to Pakistan, adds a new twist to the emerging situation in the country, which could very well spell doom for military-backed rule.

The article emphasises the Pakistan Army's disdain for the rule of law in very clear terms.

It also states rather emphatically that the Musharraf-Benazir dialogue has become a damp squib.

"Musharraf's image has lost its sheen. There can be no doubt. The very fact that he is facing opposition from within his King's Party - PML (QA) on his deal with Benazir shows that he is no longer the master of whatever he may survey from the Army House," says the article."The Sharif episode, with all its melodrama, has given a new lease to the democratic forces to converging on a fast track, to dethrone the General. Yes, as of now, the longevity of the General is only a matter of conjecture but there is no mistaking that the meltdown has started and the opposition is baying for a regime-change," it adds."Call it a 'people's uprising' or an 'Orange-style Revolution', there is lot of public dismay against the Army," it says further.

It concludes by saying that if emergency is imposed, it can unleash a fresh wave of people's power on the streets.

"In such an eventuality, only the heavens can rescue Pakistan and its General, not the US."

ANI