Despite a tumultuous show of strength by the Lawyers community in their protest against the harsh treatment the CJ was subjected to, the subsequent events have not strengthened the claims of the anti-Pervez Musharraf forces that they enjoy undisputable public support in their bid to bring down the present set-up. The ARD’s performance on the 26th of March 2007 (the declared day of joint opposition rallies against the government) was hardly impressive enough to frighten the ruling set-up.
Whereas General Musharraf undisputedly has the Power of the State behind him, the Power of the Street does not seem to find the scattered opposition ‘attractive’ enough to rally behind.
From this state of affairs everyone is free to draw the inference or conclusion of one’s choice. One conclusion can convincingly be that even those who are fed up with the ways and the exploits of the incumbent rulers are either not prepared to go back to square one, or not convinced that they have a credible alternative with the potential required to put the country on a more attractive course.
If the war is between the Power of the Street, and the Power of the State, the later continues to enjoy upper hand. But the tidal waves are not known for their predictability. They don’t take long to turn onto an unpredicted course.
Let us keep our fingers crossed.
(This Column was first published on 29-03-2007)