Opposition's somewhat muted reaction to the introduction of the bill on Friday, providing constitutional cover to President Musharraf to continue holding both offices, has raised many questions, which only time may answer.
Surprisingly, none of the two opposition alliances made any mark on the uniform issue during the opening day of the National Assembly 22nd session. They preferred not to stage walkouts separately, as they have been doing in the past or even speak out their heart on the bill, after it was tabled.
This show of disarray in the otherwise formidable opposition has sent a wave of relief to the treasury, already facing an air of discontent and dismay in its ranks. Apparently, the top leadership has failed to please the angry or disgruntled MNAs, ignored in formation of the cabinet, despite promises.
The topmost issue on the basis of which the opposition parties have been unleashing attack on the present set-up is uniform. However, their muted protest despite President General Pervez Musharraf's assertion to continue till 2007, on first day of the Assembly's Friday sitting, reflects serious divisions in their ranks.
Even some voices were heard in the Press Gallery that the opposition had in principle agreed to accept President Musharraf till 2007. "No, there is no question of any deal on the 17th Amendment," ARD chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim had asserted, may be in reaction to these voices after the business was adjourned for Monday.
In recent weeks, some reports have it that the President House and PPPP representatives were engaged in deliberations to strike a deal for snap elections in mid-2005.
Though President Musharraf himself has repeatedly said, 2007 will be the election year. However, keeping in mind his position on the uniform issue, one may think, a new prime minister with a new set-up may surface within months.
It is needless to say that the government would feel extremely comfortable if the opposition remained disunited in the days to come: more importantly, in the coming two months vis-à-vis the president's uniform.
The major stumbling block between the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal for a 'reunion' is the 17th Amendment: ARD rejects it in toto while the MMA defends it, stressing on President Musharraf to comply with it and doff his military outfit by December 31.
The division is so serious that ARD overlooked the MMA, while convening an important all parties' conference in Lahore on October 11. If the reconciliatory efforts failed there, chances of their joining hands afterwards will be an almost impossible preposition.
Analysts here in the Capital are of the view that the holy month of Ramazan may pass quietly and the division may not pinch the opposition too much. However, there may be a limited political activity to pave way for any agitation after Eidul Fitr.
Apparently, MMA and ARD have decided to do their homework and prepare their workers for a major showdown with the rulers after the religious festival.
By that time, they may agree on a joint political struggle, but as the things stand today, it seems ARD and MMA will have to proceed separately, which enormously will benefit the ruling coalition.
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