How will Musharrafs resignation impact Pakistans political stability?
I think contrary to some of the suspense in the media, international media, this will actually lead to stability in Pakistan. Because at this moment, Musharraf was standing on one side and all the mainstream, progressive political forces were standing on the other side of the divide. So this should bring more stability because the political forces, which won the elections on February 18, 2008, they are now at the helm of affairs. They are the ones who have to strategize and have to come up with an effective counterterrorism strategy. They are the ones who will be responsible to the ordinary people — to their aspirations, demands, dreams of the Pakistanis — and they are the real representative forces. So this should take Pakistan toward stability. I must add it will not be immediate. It will not be very quick. These forces will take time to develop consensus. They will take some time to develop strategies and policies for the benefit of the people. And in the short term, we may see some
