Clashes increase pressure on Musharraf
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Farhan Bokhari from Islamabad
THE latest spiralling militant violence in north-western Pakistan killed at least 23 people, adding to mounting uncertainty for the beleaguered government of General Pervez Musharraf, the country's pro-US military ruler.
Last Saturday, a car bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a small truck in Parachinar, a northern city, killing nine people and wounding many more. The bombing followed a pre-dawn clash between militants and paramilitary forces that left 14 people dead.
The latest attacks follow the army's raid on Islamabad's Red Mosque last month, which has triggered suicide attacks and armed clashes in which more than 200 people have been killed.
The surge in violence has raised questions over the ability of Gen Musharraf to govern.
"This is a fast deteriorating security situation," said Hasan Askari Rizvi, a leading expert on Pakistan political and security affairs. "The government's ability to take control seems to have been seriously compromised. General Musharraf is just not in control."
A senior security official in Islamabad said the attacks were part of a growing al-Qaeda attempt to destabilise Pakistan. "Most of the attacks so far bear the hallmark of al-Qaeda. The purpose seems to be to create havoc in a way we haven't seen before," the official said.
Analysts warned that the worsening security conditions were likely further to jeopardise Gen Musharraf's plans to seek another five-year term as president.
He also faces the prospect of legal challenges in the supreme court. Last month, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary, chief justice of the supreme court, was restored to office after a four-month suspension ordered by Gen Musharraf on vague charges of misconduct.
Last month, Gen Musharraf secretly met Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister, in Abu Dhabi in an apparent attempt to seek her support in return for allowing her to return from almost a decade in exile.
Last week, Javed Hashmi, leader of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said: "Benazir Bhutto should not be providing oxygen to a dying regime. The days of Gen Musharraf in power are over."
Mr Hashmi was released late last week after serving four years in jail on charges of defaming the military. His release was ordered by the supreme court.
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— FT Syndication Service
THE latest spiralling militant violence in north-western Pakistan killed at least 23 people, adding to mounting uncertainty for the beleaguered government of General Pervez Musharraf, the country's pro-US military ruler.
Last Saturday, a car bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a small truck in Parachinar, a northern city, killing nine people and wounding many more. The bombing followed a pre-dawn clash between militants and paramilitary forces that left 14 people dead.
The latest attacks follow the army's raid on Islamabad's Red Mosque last month, which has triggered suicide attacks and armed clashes in which more than 200 people have been killed.
The surge in violence has raised questions over the ability of Gen Musharraf to govern.
"This is a fast deteriorating security situation," said Hasan Askari Rizvi, a leading expert on Pakistan political and security affairs. "The government's ability to take control seems to have been seriously compromised. General Musharraf is just not in control."
A senior security official in Islamabad said the attacks were part of a growing al-Qaeda attempt to destabilise Pakistan. "Most of the attacks so far bear the hallmark of al-Qaeda. The purpose seems to be to create havoc in a way we haven't seen before," the official said.
Analysts warned that the worsening security conditions were likely further to jeopardise Gen Musharraf's plans to seek another five-year term as president.
He also faces the prospect of legal challenges in the supreme court. Last month, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary, chief justice of the supreme court, was restored to office after a four-month suspension ordered by Gen Musharraf on vague charges of misconduct.
Last month, Gen Musharraf secretly met Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister, in Abu Dhabi in an apparent attempt to seek her support in return for allowing her to return from almost a decade in exile.
Last week, Javed Hashmi, leader of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said: "Benazir Bhutto should not be providing oxygen to a dying regime. The days of Gen Musharraf in power are over."
Mr Hashmi was released late last week after serving four years in jail on charges of defaming the military. His release was ordered by the supreme court.
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— FT Syndication Service