Justice Scandal: Pakistan Edition

While the machinations behind the various scandals at the Department of Justice have been maddening to those who actually value the meaning of the word, we should all be thankful that President Bush has not taken the route that some of his allies have.

Two months ago, Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. Many feel his ousting was designed to help forestall any constitutional challenge that may arise from upcoming elections.

Now protests this weekend have gripped the city of Karachi. The ensuing clashes between backers of Chaudhry and pro-Musharraf demonstrators have left some 31 people dead and hundreds injured. Some worry what the violence could mean for democracy in Pakistan and Musharraf's fate.

And while I do not wish to downplay the seriousness of the situation, it is not without irony. Consider: Pervez may lose his grip on power not at the hands of radical Islamists bent on controlling Pakistan's nuclear arsenal but rather from those who wish to see a truer form of democracy flourish there.

Maybe we could learn a few things from their struggle.

Much more on this from Cernig who thus far has been one of the few to keep us appraised of the situation even though it could have far reaching implications not only for Pakistan but for US efforts in the region as well.

(Plucked from a folder at The Xsociate Files)