Musharraf is on the rope. Zardari and those opted out or dropped out; for various reasons, of the political arena are jubilant. Nawaz is worried as he is unable to decipher whether he played his hand rightly or has been trapped.

Aitizaz Ahsan (pres bar association ) raised a point which is worth pondering upon, although it may not be more than a desperate cry, that; why the judges have not been restored before the impeachment process? Contention being; lest the impeachment process fail, the drama of the impeachment and that of the restoration of the judges will face a drop scene for ever. Being apprehensive of Zardari, he interpreted it as the deliberate attempt to legitimize the President, his actions and at the same time silencing Nawaz and discrediting PML (N). This scenario, if materialized as envisaged, would be posing a very stark and grim situation for Nawaz and co. Amin Fahim and Imran Khan also hold the samilar views.

On the other hand, Zardari playing in the hands of USA, which is more clearly evident as the unfolding events of the immediate past are starkly pointing to, has embarked on this adventurism after getting a “yes” signal, which he was waiting for most probably, would fall on his face.

It is USA, India and Afghanistan’s (UIA) combined ambition and strategy to undermine Pakistani Military, which being the strongest institution in Pakistan is--out of control of the US, a fear for India and hated by Afghanistan. Weakening Pakistan Army means gaining an absolute free hand to deal with Pakistan as one may please, as it is in the case of Iraq and Afghanistan.

His checkered past has kept him from getting the press coverage while meeting any of the US officials before hijacking the PPP. Similarly, initially, US was not very happy to deal with him even after his being the co chairperson of the PPP when Musharraf was still relevant.

He seemed to have no choice, due to his Rogue-Wadera nature and pressures from several other quarters as well, but to launch an impeachment proceedings against President Musharraf. Musharraf is no longer useful for the USA as he has understood them too well and would not sell the country. In fact Musharraf is a hurdle in their way to achieving their long term goals. Zardari and co are totally oblivious and ignorant of the intricacies of foreign relations and unable to comprehend the long term implications.

For argument sake even if they do have the grasp and understanding they won’t be able to measure up due to short sightedness, greed and checkered past. Upto here is the background of this whole drama and the playwrights.

Constitutionally speaking Mushrraf is immune from being impeached, as he does not fall in the first two categories of Physical or mental impairment and the third one; two constitutional breaching, have already been legitimized by the supreme court, and any use, as ground for impeachment, or challenge to these, would tantamount to contempt.

Once the national assembly present him with the charge-sheet, he must go to the national assembly and answer the charges candidly, eloquently and boldly, which would certainly create an awareness and ultimate goodwill and sympathy for him. This would certainly be a step forward in bolstering the civilian rule in Pakistan as all the necessary details of dealing and wheeling would be exposed and shared with the main stake holders in this whole drama--the People of Pakistan. Thereafter he could challenge the proceedings in the supreme court, who under the dictates of its earlier decisions and constitutionality would declare the whole drama of impeachment void/illegal and that would be the drop scene for Zardari, Nawaz, Judges and Lawyers, US, India and Afghanistan all at the same time.

Now here is my input and suggestion for President Musharraf. Emerging victorious he should dissolves the assemblies on the ground of its being incompetent to run the country’s affairs and ruining the economy and conduct fresh and fair elections on non party basis, urging educated, really literate and Patriotic youngsters from the middle class. Election commission should lay down new rules, for purging the old hogs, baring those who have been elected a number of times and have made it a family business to become members of the assemblies to rob the country and its coffer. An advisory council of real ulema, intellectuals, think tanks and policy experts should be created who can be consulted by the Provincial and National assembly as and when needed. All matters including core appointments should be confirmed by this assembly. The session-duration of the assemblies should be increased for legislation process. Musharraf then should do what is expected of a Muslim soldier who knows how to die for a cause--cause being the prosperity and development of Humanity, Islam and Pakistan. Work towards realization of making Pakistan a “CORE-STATE”.