Already a subscriber? Log in
It’s a red herring. A hung parliament would suit Musharraf as it would leave him in the position of arbiter. If no party has a clear majority, at least on paper, then the President could not be impeached.
Basit says it is unlikely that the turnout predicted by the Election Commission (81 million “enabled” to vote) will actually happen.
“It’s cold, people are worried about security, they may prefer to stay at home. Traditionally it isn’t encouraging. I think the turnout will be under 50%, 36-40 million.”
Basit talks of the importance of the international observers, many from the EU.
“Nothing is being left to chance; we want a clean bill of health from the observers. Each Mission is co-ordinating its own. The heads will come back to Islamabad on the 20th of February and give a press conference.”
(On that note, Mohammed Ziauddin, senior correspondent of the Dawn newspaper, tells me that whatever the observers might see or say, it won’t make a blind bit of difference. He pointed to a report made by the internationals after the 2002 elections citing evidence of “rigging” which, he says, was just ignored by Brussels.)
When asked about the Commonwealth observers, who were disallowed after suspending Pakistan, the Foreign Office diplomat sends this clear message,
“They will come after the election. They may like to reinstate our membership. It is for them to decide, we are not asking. They suspended us so we suspended them. It is good to convey the message; that we are equally disturbed and outraged by your decision.”
Abdul Basit is upfront about the problems troubling Pakistanis. He highlights price rises and the President’s attitude to the judiciary. He’s right. On Saturday, protesting lawyers, upset about the deposition of the Chief Justice and the detention of 60 judges, were tear-gassed and hit with batons. Undeterred, they have decided to boycott courts until after the election. Temperatures are rising very fast.
Also in Politics
Also by Rani Singh
Latest
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in