Vacillation will aggravate and sectarian hostility in Pakistan can run out of the control unless the Musharraf government turns over real power to civilians and removes its bridle on the moderate parties, a report by an international organisation working to prevent conflict world-wide said.
Brussels-based International Crises Group in its latest report titled "Authoritarianism and political reform in Pakistan" said the mainstream political parties must become thoughtful about internal correction if they have a wish to steer Pakistan towards democracy and political stability.
The findings of the report released here on Wednesday argue that General Musharraf's marginalisation of moderate political voices has allowed the religious parties to fill a civic vacuum and their increasing strength, if left unchecked, could erode regional stability.
With the international help, Pakistan's moderate political parties should strengthen and transform themselves into more viable players, the report added.
It also said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) have regained some of the credibility they lost when they led governments during the flawed democratic transition of the 1990s.
But their continuous subjugation to state coercion coupled with their own internal weaknesses leaves in question whether they can counter an interventionist military.
"These parties are the most effective safeguard against the religious lobby's anti-Western agenda and still present the most credible alternatives to the Authoritarian Rule," Crisis Group's South Asia Project Director Samina Ahmed said.
"But the parties themselves must step up and make changes to ensure their own survival."
The parties need to promote internal discipline and accountability, better organise their grassroots base and allow more party workers, especially women and young people, to play meaningful roles in the decision-making process.
In addition to halting its pressure tactics on mainstream parties, Pakistan's military government should appoint an independent Federal Election Commission, refine, liberalise party finance laws, lift ban on student unions and allow parties to establish their own requirements for election of their leaders.
Countries like the US, which have tolerated authoritarian behaviour because they seek short-term security co-operation, should press the Musharraf government to hold free and fair elections, insist that it stop unlawful arrests and detention of opposition leaders and be prepared to cut aid if it does not.
"The international community should make clear that its support - which has bolstered Musharraf's claim to legitimacy - will quickly evaporate unless he shows he is serious about taking steps towards the democratic reforms," Crisis Group's Asia Programme Director Robert Templer said.
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