Global is Local: How Pakistan’s Security Affects Our Own

Anti-terrorism policies in the U.S. depend greatly on the situation in Pakistan, a less-than-stable nation that borders China, India, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Pakistan became more volatile in early November 2007, when its leader General Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency, suspended the country’s Constitution, and fired the chief justice of their Supreme Court. 

Previously, the White House had been working with Musharraf to allay terrorist groups there, but the Pakistani leader’s latest move – essentially declaring martial law – has complicated anti-terrorism projects. 

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice denounced Musharraf’s actions and called for him to return to constitutional law. The White House supports a transition to democracy, which Musharraf claims he is actively pursuing. 

Pakistan’s elections

The elections, scheduled for January 8, 2008, are opposed by Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, because Musharraf’s plan for democracy gives him the power to dismiss the elected government and the legislature. Further, the Supreme Court is packed with Musharraf loyalists who would be sure to rule against any opposition to this plan.

However, another Musharraf opponent, Benazir Bhutto, also a former prime minister, has begun her campaign. Bhutto and Sharif have joined together and drawn up a list of demands for Musharraf to follow – or else face an election boycott.

Primarily, Sharif and Bhutto want Musharraf to end the state of emergency and to create fair elections.

When was the last time Pakistan had elections?

Pakistan’s last democratic election was in 1997; Nawaz Sharif won by a large majority. However, when Sharif attempted to fire his army chief, Musharraf, in 1999, Musharraf responded with a military coup, taking over the airport and keeping Sharif’s plane in the air until it nearly ran out of fuel. Musharraf has been in power ever since.

Pakistan's military has a history of backing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. After 9/11, the United States demanded that Pakistan turn against the Taliban and al Qaeda. Mr. Musharaf agreed, and since then has been trying to satisfy the Bush administration without inflaming Islamic groups that strongly support al Qaeda. Nevertheless, Mr. Musharraf has had a string of assassination attempts. Despite U.S.-Pakistan efforts, the mountains of western Pakistan have become a haven for Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The U.S. needs Pakistan because of its location, but managing the relationship is tricky. The personalities in the forefront of the elections are also key players in a very dangerous history of nuclear proliferation. Pakistan became a nuclear power in 1998, in response to nuclear tests conducted by India, its long-time rival. Sharif was in power at the time, so The White House isn’t exactly supporting his reelection bid. Washington would much prefer Ms. Bhutto, who is more likely than Sharif to oppose Islamic extremists.

Over the past several years, Pakistan’s nuclear technology has proliferated to Libya, Iran, and North Korea via A.Q. Khan, a Pakistani scientist. Khan has been under house arrest for the past 3-and-a-half years, continuing to live in a wealthy part of Islamabad. Along with all the interlocking issues is a serious concern with the safety of their nuclear weapons and our ability to dictate nuclear policy to a shaky government in who knows what kind of transition.

Stay tuned to WomenMatter to find out how Pakistan’s elections turn out – and monitor the fallout that affects all of us.

Use this information as you judge presidential candidates. How much do they know? As always, tell your representatives what you think!

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Update Posted on: 12/04/2007