Pakistan Is ‘Ripe’ for Another Military Coup

Pakistan Is ‘Ripe’ for Another Military Coup

Pakistan is fighting a bitter counter-insurgency campaign against the Taliban and its allies at the same time it deals with the ravages of recent flooding — convincing some in the nuclear-armed nation that only a military coup can restore order.

“If ever a country were ripe for a coup, it is Pakistan,” Con Coughlin writes in Britain’s Telegraph.

“The besieged government of President Asif Ali Zardari is assailed on all fronts by man-made conflict and natural disaster and there is a palpable sense in Islamabad that the return of the generals to the presidential palace would come as something of a relief.”

Before the recent floods triggered by monsoon rains, Zardari was under pressure from the United States and its allies to do more to fight the militant Islamic groups in the country’s tribal areas that pose a threat to Pakistan and other countries.

Now, following the devastating flooding that’s left millions of Pakistanis homeless, Zardari is facing severe criticism at home as opponents point to the government’s inept response to the disaster.

The insufficient response has led to instances of riots and looting of aid convoys by hunger-stricken people. Zardari was also criticized for going ahead with visits to meet leaders in Britain and France at a time when his nation was facing catastrophe.

“The misery being experienced by millions of dispossessed and impoverished citizens is inevitably going to stoke the fires of dissent,” Coughlin writes.

Altaf Hussain, exiled leader of an opposition group, has issued a call to “patriotic generals” to fulfill their duty by establishing martial law.

Since gaining independence in 1947, Pakistan has experienced more years of military dictatorship than civilian rule, most recently during Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s nine-year rule.

“However, what is different about this crisis is that, for once, the generals don’t appear at all interested in taking responsibility for a country that is teetering on the verge of collapse,” according to Coughlin.

He concludes: “Extreme measures will be required to rebuild large swathes of the country once the waters have receded — but building the effective and inclusive government that Pakistan deserves will be an ever greater challenge.”