With the "real" judiciary having been confined to house arrest - due to the declaration of emergency - Pakistan's new judiciary, carefully hand-picked by General Pervez Musharraf, declared that his submission to the post of president would be rendered a no-contest.
It took the judiciary just two hours to invalidate the possible challenges to the president and ensure that he could now shed his military uniform in favour of civilian attire. But in doing so, Musharraf may have actually shot himself in the foot insofar as his longevity and long-term credibility in Pakistani politics are concerned.
With his popularity rating tumbling at home and with the rest of the world urging him to conduct fair and transparent elections, Musharraf finds himself being increasingly isolated by global leaders and profoundly, even the opposition in Pakistan. Dialogue between those staking a claim for power is necessary. It signifies that the heart of democracy is beating. It appears, however, that Musharraf may have blocked the arteries, thus weakening the foundation of the political process. The time has come for the general to subject himself to a demanding reality check days before he tries to join the ranks of the common man.
