Pakistanis suffer in power struggle

As the democratically elected government in Pakistan launches another bid to depose President Pervez Musharraf, they have ignored pressing issues that concern the nation.

But that is to be expected from a coalition that is brittle anyway. Backing protests led by the country's lawyers to reinstate a judiciary sacked by Musharraf would hardly be termed as prioritising major issues.

To this extent Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) chief Nawaz Sharif has taken a radical step by stating that he is willing to join the opposition if coalition partner Asif Ali Zardari does not concede to his demands.

The rallying cry by these two stalwarts has been that democracy will win. But the people are being neglected in this struggle for supremacy - demonstrated through instability and a poor economic climate.

The government should focus on serving the people, most of whom are gasping for some semblance of change, or at the very least reassurance.