Pak parties up in arms against referendum bid

Most analysts expect Musharraf to win the vote, expected in early May, by mobilising the machinery of state, despite opposition from the main political parties which were sidelined after the October 1999 coup.

The exercise might satisfy the West — Musharraf is valued as a key partner in the US-led war on terrorism and American support is all but guaranteed — but it is unlikely to give his regime much more than a thin veneer of legitimacy at home.

‘‘The proposed referendum is unconstitutional, it is illegal,’’ said Farhatullak Barbar, spokesman for exiled former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. ‘‘The sham referendum is an attempt to secure political legitimacy, but legitimacy will continue to elude him, as it has eluded dictators in the past,’’ he said.

Other parties across the political spectrum expressed similar views, with the prospect of electing a president through a simple ‘‘Yes or No’’ viewed with horror. Only a few small parties have thrown their lot in with Musharraf.

Insiders say Musharraf is likely to offer Pakistan’s people a simple question in the referendum — do they want him or not.

‘‘There will probably be a sort of preamble listing the reforms he has brought about,’’ said a senior government source privy to meetings on the referendum. ‘‘But the question will only be one … he does not want any confusion.’’

After decades of misrule, many Pakistanis support Musharraf’s efforts to clean up and modernise their country and analysts expect Musharraf to win the vote despite opposition from the political elite.

He is also likely to get support from district councils across the country, whose own legitimacy depends on Musharraf staying and will mobilise voters in his favour. Political parties, by contrast, will not be allowed to campaign.