Negative comparisons are being made with the decision by the other exiled former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, to negotiate with Musharraf the terms of her return to the country. Suddenly, Sharif is the paragon of democracy and Bhutto “the sell out.”

Those praising Sharif’s “principled” stance forget that he launched his national political career with the help of the military and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), on the shoulders of Pakistan’s Islamists. Without casting doubt on his current commitment to democracy, is it not relevant to at least wonder whether his enthusiasm in returning home to topple Musharraf could mark a repetition of the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) of 1988? Then, the ISI had encouraged Sharif to join forces with Jamaat-e-Islami to contain Bhutto and her Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Even now, it is clear that the might and wrath of Pakistan’s establishment is reserved for the PPP and not for Sharif’s faction. Notwithstanding her recent negotiations with Musharraf, Bhutto is not known for being a protégé of Pakistan’s military or intelligence services. On the other hand, Sharif may have fallen afoul of General Musharraf but he is clearly acceptable to other rightwing generals who still regard him as their former ally.

Bhutto is also being denigrated for trying to achieve a deal with Musharraf without mention of the fact that negotiations are an integral part of politics. Bhutto would have been at fault if her negotiating points had excluded demands such as removal of Musharraf’s uniform and the abrogation of the notorious eighth amendment to the constitution.

... contd.