generalspeaking

Editor’s Note: The following report is excerpted from Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin, the premium online newsletter published by the founder of WND.


WASHINGTON – The political landscape in Pakistan is about to become even less stable, which could affect the country’s relations with the United States, as the parliament is to be dissolved March 16 in preparation for new elections in mid-May, according to report from Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin.
The only major united element in the country is the military. Almost all other political elements are in disarray, from education to the health care system.

“Pakistan combines all the elements of not only a failed state but a dangerous one,” according to a report by the open intelligence group Langley Intelligence Group Network, or Lignet.

“Its politicians often are weak and corrupt, frequently taking a back seat to Pakistan’s strong military,” the report said.

All factions regard the current Pakistani president, Asif Ali Zardari, who was married to the assassinated Benazir Bhutto, as ineffective. There remain charges against him and his late wife over using Swiss banks to launder millions of dollars in kickbacks.

Because the parliament will be dissolved to await the outcome of subsequent parliamentary elections over a two-month period, the current government under the constitution is to work with the opposition to agree on who will lead the government. However, the various factions are far apart.

Former President Pervez Musharraf, who left office under a cloud, intends to run for parliament. Because Musharraf has been implicated in the assassination of Bhutto, the Pakistani government recently called for an international warrant for his arrest for allegedly intentionally failing to protect Bhutto.

Musharraf is in a self-imposed exile. It is questionable whether he will be allowed to return to run for parliament.

There are indications, however, that Saudi Arabia, which heavily finances Pakistani projects, including its nuclear weapons program, may have made a deal not to arrest him.

Musharraf has designs on the presidency, a position he once held following the coup he staged in 1999 as a military general.

Zardari and his late wife also have a 24-year-old son in politics, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The one candidate who could pull a surprise is a former cricket star, Imran Khan, who has become a major political force in Pakistan.

He does not hesitate to criticize the U.S. and is regarded as anti-American.

He is popular not only for his past sports achievements but he isn’t connected with the country’s past political scandals that constantly follow the two major political parties.

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