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It seems that by announcing their decision to impeach Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, the country's coalition government has finally managed to see eye to eye on one issue. Not that it would be the appropriate course of action for a government, which is currently beleaguered on more than one front: social, economic, domestic and political.
The announcement to impeach Musharraf, however, is cloaked with the expected caveat: the parties have agreed only in 'principle'. Whether or not their thoughts will turn into rapid action remains to be seen even though officials have announced that the twin process of impeachment and the restoration of judges - a topic that has seen the coalition break down on occasion - sacked by the President will take days. In reality, however, it may take weeks and even months, if it does take place at all.
Musharraf himself has a few days to defend his position, as he well might. The fact that the ruling parties do not have a two-thirds majority - even though horse-trading may now commence - could help him buy time. This apart he could dissolve parliament and call for elections, or declare a state of emergency, a decision that had earlier cost him the goodwill of the people.
The onus is on the decision-makers who are running the country to ensure that Pakistan must be allowed to realise its true potential. The proud people of this rich and historic nation have been kept on tenterhooks for too long even as they are engulfed by inflation, plunging markets, food and fuel shortages and rising militancy in the northwest.
The process of Musharraf's impeachment could destabilise the country, ensuring that the democratic institution is rendered fragile. Caution and effective powers of judgement are the need of the hour from here onwards.
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