Making A Difference

A Masque In Civil Robes

The junta needs a civilian face, and Punjab might get the nod again

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A Masque In Civil Robes
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With the military junta on the lookout for an acceptable civilian figurehead, observers are keen to see if the crown goes to Punjab once again. Political activity is intense in the nation's most powerful province. The betting season is on here. And one-time playboy, Imran Khan, is quite the favourite. Contacts between him and Musharraf's government have been continuing for some time now. And Imran seems to be playing up to the men in khaki. He has reason to. It's no secret that the recent announcement of lowering the voting age to 18 has pleased the Khan. Most in that age group would, perhaps, blindly vote for their cricket hero.

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It's clear that Punjab, as of old, holds the key to the nation's politics. "No longer is the Sindh card, or any other provincial card needed to topple Musharraf. If he has to be taken on, the Punjab card is needed. But that's something Nawaz Sharif holds close to his chest," says a political commentator. And despite his incarceration, no one is quite ready to write off Nawaz Sharif from the political scene. Another player, Benazir Bhutto, has also begun to make the right noises. Reports suggest she might be landing at Islamabad airport sometime in October. She would, of course, return under a "bargain"-the most obvious one being that the authorities agree to send her infamous spouse, Asif Zardari, abroad for 'medical treatment'. Other possible 'candidates' from Punjab are former governor Mian Azhar and former national assembly speaker Syed Fakhr Imam. While both are unacceptable to Sharif loyalists, reports suggest that agencies (read the army) are testing the waters by pushing for Azhar.

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Mian Azhar first made it to the "who's who" of the country's business world courtesy the Sharifs, who allowed him to strike it rich in the scrap iron trade, a Sharif monopoly. However politically, Azhar 'arrived' when he was given unbridled power during Sharif's tenure in 1998 when he was made governor. Originally from Jalandhar, Azhar belongs to the Arian baradri (a community, like India's Rajputs or Jats) who, during the last PML government, made it clear that it was high time the Arians found place in Pakistan's politics. Interestingly, the last Arian ruler was Gen Zia himself. But what perhaps impressed the military was Azhar's action against smugglers in Gujranwala's Naram Mandhi area. As governor, Azhar, using harsh measures, had cleaned the area in just three months. Syed Fakhr Imam from Khanewal, Multan, is also being eyed. On surface, he fits the army's description of a future civilian leader-being a Syed, it would send the right signals to the Shia community. Also, the junta feels that it would be easy to do business with Imam who is highly respected for his moderate views and clean character.

But with all these potential players and various other political and economic landmines Musharraf is up against, he'll have to do some deft political manoeuvring. And it remains to be seen whether he can display the required nimbleness.

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