Articles from the author

The likelihood of free and fair parliamentary elections in Pakistan on October 10 is diminishing, notwithstanding the government's protestations to the contrary.

General Pervez Musharraf has finally settled on 29 arbitrary amendments to Pakistan's constitution that give him sweeping powers. Almost everyone outside his close circle sees the amendments as an attempt to perpetuate his rule, without any check or balance.

Pakistan and some other Muslim countries are facing relentless criticism in the western media despite their status as "indispensable allies" of the United States. The security alliances of these Muslim nations have failed to translate into true friendship with the West, largely because of divergent world views and strategic concerns.

Two seemingly unrelated developments over the last few days bring into question the intentions of Pakistan's present military oligarchy, which continues to present itself as a reforming regime working towards a transition to democracy.

The sweeping electoral victory in Turkey of a party with Islamic roots should bring to an end the delusion of those who seek to "enforce" secularism in Muslim countries as an anti-religious ideology rather than a political system ensuring separation of church and state.

If recent reports in the Western media are any guide, General Pervez Musharraf's honeymoon as a Western ally is gradually coming to an end. Soon after last September's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, Pakistan's military ruler was hailed as one of the most significant members of the U.S.-led coalition against terrorism.

General Pervez Musharraf's decision to secure a five-year term as Pakistan's President through a referendum has generated controversy, both at home and abroad. The proposed referendum was never a part of Musharraf's roadmap to democracy, announced on Indepen-dence Day (August 14) last year.

On Pakistan's western border, the U.S. led-coalition is still engaged in its war against terrorism. U.S. Special Forces, intelligence operatives and FBI agents are scouring the caves and mountains of Afghanistan for members of Al Qaida. They have been promised, and are dependent upon, Pakistani support in their effort.

Last week's terrorist bombing in Karachi, which left 14 people including 11 French engineers dead, demonstrates Pakistan's continued vulnerability. General Pervez Musharraf has called the bombing an attempt to destabilise Pakistan and "weaken its resolve" in the fight against terrorism.

Following the embarrassment of the referendum, General Pervez Musharraf is now struggling to convince sceptics about his commitment to democracy.

The assassination of All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) leader Abdul Ghani Lone is the latest in a series of actions by those who seek to stoke the fires of military confrontation between India and Pakistan.

General Pervez Musharraf may have learnt the hard way that there is only one thing worse than fixing an election. It is fixing an election without getting the desired results.