In Pakistan military dictators come unchallenged but their departure is never scheduled, same is the case with General Pervez Musharraf who is in a fix as what to do and popular date of 17th August is coming nearer. Their masters can never be their friends cried out loud General Ayub Khan in his last days in his autobiography so did Zulfiqar in his famous speech in Parliament that conspiracies are being hatched against him. Great nations keep their national interest supreme and weaker nation's leaders their power . Pakistan a vibrant nation full of potential, talent has become a victim of a few whose vision has no boundaries and no respect for rule of law and justice. Alas the current ruler also could not do anything for the masses on a large scale and never commanded their support and always looked towards his masters as well as unit for maintaining power. He must look back and see how many friends are left behind, one by one he is getting lonely.  

Ariel exit is normally the only route available for those who came violating the popular mandate of the people as leaving peacefully is an option idealistic but rarely practical. News reports indicate desperate attempts of such "˜political exit' carefully concentrated between military dictator and other political parties, on top of list is PPP. Those who believe in the positive outcome of this relationship are living in Cukoo's land as there can be no sane agreement between a military ruler and popular political party without compromising rule of law and constitutional supremacy. These Confidence building measures merely can pave the way of exiled leader's peaceful return to Pakistan which is denied by force as Pakistanis are given their in born rights as favours not as a right, but partnership with an unpopular outgoing  leadership is very tricky especially after judicial crisis of 9 March where they have self inflicted a wound which is not going to go away esaily.

Pakistan's establishment knows it better that partnership with ppp with crippled opposition can be very dangerous. It can act as a double edge sword and only restoring two party system in reality as was before 12 Oct 99 is the ultimate solution and key to the security of the system guaranteeing protection to the state. Q league with divided vote with N league will suffer heavily at the hands of PPP, in fact it will eat them alive if allowed to canvass single handedly and maturity desires the return of other exiled leaders to ensure free, fair and impartial elections to allow the people to elect and reject the leaders. This fair dual is also necessary to have a check and balance to preserve serenity and common sense.PPP in power with military dictator will not be able to deliver as per claims and assessments are that such govt will be short lived and could be toppled with any uneven incident whether it is an incident like 9/11 or sudden death of any stalwart and then the situation will desire a rematch calling all the players again but at that juncture the loss will be of Pakistan.

Mullah is not the root cause of the actual problem, lack of political will is, and the direct diagnosis of such extremism is vacuum and the absence of political leadership which has roots in the masses  on conservative front which use to keep middle class mobile and up right to check and out number the militant out fits. If you remove conservative leadership, ultimately you are left with Lal Masjid style leadership who are ready to interpret Islam to their own choosing though not shared by commoners but have a frightening effect on already weak government who is fearing of a political explosion all around, any time.

I feel time is up and rather than opening back door channels of secret negotiations with a,b,c parties and damaging the system further, military leader must act as Spartan and initiate open and public discussion in the supreme national interest with all political parties at a round table ensuring presence of all exiled leaders to discuss how an exit can be practically made possible and how a fair and transparent elections can be held in Pakistan. Those consultations may discuss the time table for laying off his uniform before his elections, and mechanism of inducting an independent and reliable care taker set up possibly judges along with powerful election commissioner who will impartially hold elections. He also needs consultation with all parties how the independence of judiciary can be secured as his actions speak louder than his claims that he believes in justice and fair play.  

Only a fair and independent judiciary can guarantee holding of a fair election(s) in Pakistan. These elections can't be held fairly if the head of judiciary is begging justice in his own court. What a picture the regime is showing the whole world of the state of play at judicial front, and the humiliation of masses over this issue is visible from their wider condemnation. These suggested actions are not imminent and may not happen at all as our leadership lack political will and have no roots as well as  wisdom which needs to solve the crisis they are in and followers of Imam Hussain who are not a few applauded an other "˜NO' to the tyrant of its time and time is running fast.

Amjad Malik is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court (England) and a life member of Supreme Court Bar Association as well as Chair of Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK).