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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 26-Aug-2008
Pakistan's government coalition dissolves following dispute over Taliban

Web Log - August, 2008

Pakistan's government coalition dissolves following dispute over Taliban

As fighting rages in Pakistan's tribal areas, the coalition formed by the two parties that forced the resignation of former President Pervez Musharraf has collapsed.

The collapse came after the government banned the Taliban group, Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP), that claimed responsibility for the massive suicide bombing attack last Thursday at a large munitions factory near Islamabad, the nation's capital.

It's not clear whether the "ban" will have any actual effect on TTP, or whether it's simply symbolic.

But, as expected, last Thursday's terrorist attack has had a powerful effect on Pakistani politicians and people, and is becoming a "regeneracy" event.

(For information about the term "regeneracy," see "Basics of Generational Dynamics.")

Bajaur in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in the scene of increasing warfare between the Taliban and Pakistan's army <font face=Arial size=-2>(Source: cfr.org)</font>

Bajaur in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in the scene of increasing warfare between the Taliban and Pakistan's army (Source: cfr.org)

Parliamentary leader Asif Zardari, widowed husband of the assassinated Benazir Bhutto, and head of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), has acted indecisively toward the Taliban until now. Pakistan's army, was entirely on its own in fighting a massive battle in the Bajaur region of the tribal areas. Now the army is gaining political support from Zardari, and this is a big change.

Nawaz Sharif, head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, split with Zardari shortly thereafter, blaming the split on "unkept promises" by Zardari. However, as I've pointed out in the past, Sharif is one of the group that tends to blame the terrorist violence on Musharraf's relationship with America, fighting the war on terror. Thus, it seems most likely to me that the differences in attitude toward the Taliban are the main cause of the split, after Thursday's terrorist attack.

Recall that Zardari is Shia Muslim, and that the father of his slain wife, Benazir Bhutto, was one of the leading Shia figures in the early days of Pakistan's independence. Sharif is Sunni Muslim, as are the Taliban.

The Pakistan government is disintegrating right before our eyes, at a time of maximum danger, when a major war is going on in Bajaur, and rioting is increasing in Kashmir. As the regeneracy advances, the days of easy compromise have ended, and positions on all sides will continue to harden. (26-Aug-2008) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 26-Aug-2008 Pakistan's government coalition dissolves following dispute over Taliban

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 26-Aug-2008
Pakistan's government coalition dissolves following dispute over Taliban