October 8, 2007. Copyright 2007, Graphic News. All rights reserved

PakistanÕs Musharraf back in control -- for now
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, October 8, Graphic News:  The victory of Pervez Musharraf in controversial presidential polls hands the Pakistani general a third five-year term in which to stamp out rising Islamist violence, improve the daily lot of his people, and bring some order to a democracy that faces relentless scrutiny from the West. His re-election must first be approved by a Supreme Court vote.

That former commando Musharraf, who has promised to exchange his military garb for civvies on November 15, should even want such a task confirms to many his reputation as a tough risk-taker. He has faced numerous assassination attempts from Islamic militants since promising in 2001 to become a key ally in WashingtonÕs Òwar on terrorÓ.

To cling to power despite rising opposition to his regime, he has had to perform some challenging political contortions, including a power-sharing deal with exiled former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and his pledge to resign from the military, despite earlier saying that his army uniform was Òhis skinÓ and that he could never remove it.

Not only that. The re-election of the Bush ally as president of the worldÕs second largest Muslim country returns the one-time Taliban supporter right to the eye of the global storm.

Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943 to an Indian family that migrated to Pakistan after partition in 1947. He later spent several years in Turkey, where his father worked as a clerk in the Pakistani embassy in Ankara, and he speaks fluent Turkish.

After attending a Catholic missionary school, in 1961 he entered the prestigious Pakistani Military Academy. He served in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, and his reputation for bravery helped to propel him through the ranks until he became army chief in 1998. A year later he reportedly played a key role in bringing two nuclear nations to the brink of all-out war after Indian troops clashed with Pakistani paramilitaries in Kashmir.

It was a bloodless coup in October 1999 that installed him as head of the government after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attempted to replace him. Musharraf, who has already named his own replacement at the head of the military, will not need reminding that at that time it was the backing of the powerful generals that allowed him to seize power.

After the 9/11 attacks on the United States, the White House recruited Musharraf as an ally in its war on terror. Though Pakistan has been buoyed by massive aid in return for this allegiance, eradicating al-Qaeda cells and quashing diehard support for the extremist Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan was never going to be easy.

In 2002 a national referendum legitimized his rule and MusharrafÕs popularity was soon to peak. He has been praised for liberal reforms, including establishing a minimum quota for women MPs, as well as allowing a relatively free press. Pakistan has enjoyed moderate economic growth during his rule -- though millions still live in abject poverty.

In 2005 the country faced an international humanitarian catastrophe after a massive earthquake killed more than 73,000 people.

Inevitably, his tough approach to Islamic hardliners has resulted in a surge of militancy. In July he faced condemnation after more than 100 people died when security forces stormed the Red Mosque in Islamabad, where it had been claimed that students and Islamic leaders were intent on imposing Sharia law. He has spoken of his vision of Òmoderate IslamÕÓ.

But his version of democracy is also causing him problems. In March his decision to dismiss Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry led to nationwide demonstrations that eventually forced Musharraf to invite him back. As he prepares to defend his right to rule, the self-confident general will be keen to avoid another humiliating climbdown.
/ENDS