Musharraf gropes for way out of Pakistan's crisis

Islamabad, Mar 19: President Pervez Musharraf, scotching rumours of a coup six months ago, told Pakistanis their country was not a ''banana republic, where such things happen suddenly''.

Filled with trepidation over a deepening political crisis, people could do with a similar reassurance now, but this time Musharraf's crisis is real and appears self-induced.

A ham-fisted attempt to sack Pakistan's top judge, and the use of excessive force to cow the media and counter protests has created the greatest challenge to Musharraf's authority over the Muslim country since he seized power in a coup seven years ago.

Things got so bad over the weekend that Musharraf said there was a conspiracy to turn people against him, and the United States, worried by instability in an allied country next door to Afghanistan and Iran, called for cool heads to prevail.

By yesterday, Islamabad's rumour mill went into overdrive with talk that the constitution had been suspended, the National and provincial assemblies dissolved and martial law declared.

It was just rumour, but analysts say it could yet happen.

''Musharraf is capable of declaring martial law, and he's capable of making a political retreat and calling it a victory,'' said Najam Sethi, editor of the Daily Times newspaper.

Having been run by generals for more than half the 60 years since their country was carved out of India as a homeland for South Asia's Muslims, Pakistanis are used to seeing leaders resort to desperate measures.

Vague Allegations:

The latest crisis began on March 9 with the suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary on vague allegations of misconduct, setting off protests by lawyers and opposition politicians.

Analysts suspect the motive for axing Chaudhary was fear that he would block any attempt by Musharraf to hold onto his role as army chief, which he is obliged to relinquish this year.

Television images of police thrashing lawyers in Lahore, and ransacking the offices of a news channel during a demonstration in Islamabad on Friday, stoked public outrage with Musharraf.

''Who is hatching this conspiracy, so that everything is put on me?'' the beleaguered president complained the next day.

Reuters