Multiple centres of power in Pak could be complicating for US

The emergence of multiple centres of power in Pakistan in the aftermath of the flawed October 6 presidential polls could create complications for the United States, say experts.

Washington, Oct 10 : The emergence of multiple centres of power in Pakistan in the aftermath of the flawed October 6 presidential polls could create complications for the United States, say experts.

The possibility of Benazir Bhutto becoming Prime Minister for a third time, Pervez Musharraf becoming President for the second time, and General Ashfaq Kiyani possibly taking over as Chief of Army Staff next month, may make it difficult for the US.

"What this means is that you will have three different points potentially of leverage but also points of failure if the United States is looking to deal with them," South Asia expert, Daniel Markey told the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR) here.

"If the international community is looking to deal with the Government of Pakistan, three different areas where they have to go and get the message across and explain and sell their argument. This could be very complicating," he added.

However, he was optimistic about the future of the power sharing agreement between Bhutto, saying that it would help in weeding out extremism in Pakistan.

"By bringing in more of a civilian face and greater election legitimacy and popular support, you can get significant reforms that can hit at the roots of extremism in Pakistan," Markey said.

"You can get economic reforms, you can get education reforms, more attention to issue that really matters to average Pakistani than this Military Government has played so far," he added.

He admitted that the US and the UK have played a significant role in bringing both leaders together.

"Facilitating a relationship that does not have great deal of trust and either side - Musharraf's side or Benazir's side - did not trust the other to hold its word. And so, Washington and London can help in that area. But in terms of basic, it demonstrates the fact that these parties needed each other," he said, adding, "They don't have love for each other but they need to work together."

President Mushrrraf has been re-elected, though unofficially, as the Supreme Court has to still decide on the legality of Musharraf's candidature on October 17.

The Government has also promulgated the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) that paves the way for Bhutto's homecoming and her bid to contest the general elections.

ANI