The Dawn

The dangers from the current political crisis in Pakistan are self evident.

Firstly, the PPPP could get fragmented and break up into factions. As Pakistan’s most liberal and national party which has representation in all the provinces, this cannot be good for the party or for Pakistan. However many claim that the party is already split—and all due to the lack of leadership from the top.

Secondly, the increasing pressure in Pakistan will obviously impact Pakistan. The TTP has announced that it is sending its fighters to Afghanistan. On the surface this is good news for Pakistanis—if the TTP goes away, it would reduce the pressure on the army and the civilians in Pakistan. However, the reduction of TTP fighters in Pakistan may reduce the bombings but will not eliminate them. Blackwater Inc run by General McChrystal will continue to convince the Pakistanis that all Taliban are bad. This convincing will be done by blowing up mosques and schools—in the name of the Taliban.

Thirdly, Washington will continue to harp on its conspiracy theory that Pakistan supports Mulla Omar’s Taliban. The flight of TTP fighters to Afghanistan, if true will bolster this view. The hawks in Washington will want “their pound of flesh” from Islamabad—and increase drone bombings. The US Generals already defeated in Kabul will continue to blame someone—which happens to be the bad Pakistanis.

Fourthly, the news stories in the press contend that Mrs. Obama Bin Laden and her sons are in Iran under house arrest. If the Mrs. can be in Tehran, how about the Mr. While the hawks continue to blame Pakistan for harboring Bin Laden, the fact is that he is most probably with his wife and family—safe and secure in Tehran.

Finally, the demise of Mr. Zardari’s political career will be good for Pakistan

Itsuo Inouye / AP PhotoThe Zardari government is hanging by a thread. Daniel Markey on what happens if it falls—and the perils of the U.S. stepping in.

Judging from the breathless reporting out of Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari is only hanging onto power by the skin of his teeth. Zardari and many of his closest allies face serious political troubles because Pakistan’s supreme court recently overturned a Musharraf-era amnesty deal that had allowed him, his then-wife Benazir Bhutto, and a raft of other politicians to brush off unsettled cases of graft and corruption and return to government office.

Whatever the legal merits of Zardari’s case, this judicial action poured lighter fluid onto an anti-Zardari flame that had already been burning for many months. If left untended, this flame could again consume Pakistan in the sort of destabilizing political protests experienced at the end of the Musharraf regime. The Daily Beast

The article by Daniel Markey is well written and provides, the American perspective of the situation on the ground in Pakistan. The reality is not as simple and not as stark. Mr. Zardari, though "democratically elected" is a polarizing figure in Pakistan. His ascent to the presidency was the rresult of shady deals, scheming with the general who was leaving, fake wills, and other improprieties.Apart from the charges of corruption (now resurrected), he has steadfastly refused to give up the dictatorial powers that were illegally assigned to the presidency by General Musharraf. Mr. Zardari also has refused to give up the position of the leader of the PPPP—which is also contrary to the constitution.

The presidency is a titular position as in England–and the Pakistanis want the 1973 constitution restored. The removal of Mr. Zardari–or cutting him down to size–per the 1973 constitution is a victory for freedom and democracy in Pakistan. It not to be feared. Mr. Zardari became the president showing a fake will to the PPP elders, and some how "inherited" the party as a piece of furniture. Old stalwarts and founding members of the party have been sidelined and are mad. The party is in a virtual split already. The removal of Mr. Zardari by constitutional means, or the curtailment of his powers per the Pakistani constitution should be supported by Washington and political thinkers like you.

Recognizing that there are no magic bullet solutions to politics in Pakistan, the Obama administration should brace itself for a bumpy ride in the near term and steer clear of costly entanglements with specific Pakistani leaders. The U.S. interest will be best served if the legal proceedings in Islamabad are rapid, efficient, and evenly applied. If this spells the end for the Zardari presidency, members of his cabinet, or the PPP-led governing coalition, it is best to accept the new reality, pick up the pieces, and just move on. The Daily Beast

A democratic set up with the support of the people is what is good for Pakistan and the US. If the leaders in Pakistan are representative of the people, the terrorists cannot claim moral authority and this reduces fundamentalism. Differences with the US can be resolved in an open and honest manner with the representatives of the people. If the US wants to deal with unrepresentative civilian or military dictators and make shady deals with them about drones and intrusion in Pakistan–then the Anti-American feeling in Pakistan (non-existent in the 80s and before) will grow and fundamentalism will thrive. When the Army took over before, it was with the advise and consent of the Civil Society and the establishment. On all occasions the politicians supported the move–even giving constitutional coverage via the parliament to the take over.

In 2009 the Army is Pakistan cannot take over. Neither the civil society nor the free press will allow it. Better governance is coming to Pakistan. The independent Supreme Court is taking the corrupt to task. This is good for the poor and the rich in Islamabad’s domain. The reduction of corruption is a win for the people. Your headline is sensational and inappropriate. Mr. Zardari is not Pakistan. While Mr. Zardari teeters, Pakistanis win and Pakistan thrives.