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Journalism of Courage
Gilanis exit is a blow to the already besieged democratic consolidation in Pakistan
The fact that Pakistans civilian government accepted without protest the supreme courts verdict,disqualifying Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani from the parliament,and promptly proceeded to discuss his replacement,does nothing to soften the blow that has been dealt to the process of democratic consolidation in Pakistan. When the court had meted out a symbolic sentence to Gilani in April,it was read as a victory of sorts for the civilian government,which appeared to be managing the triangulated rivalry between itself,the military and the judiciary. Back then,the compulsion for Pakistani institutions to moderate their mutual belligerence in a deteriorating internal and external environment appeared to be bearing fruit. Tuesdays verdict is a setback not just for Pakistans civilian government.
Nevertheless,Gilani goes out as the second-longest serving PM. And Zardari looks set to supervise the first transition from one elected government to another. Together,Zardari and Gilani had played an important role in reviving India-Pakistan ties after the 26/11 freeze,and in daring to deepen bilateral economic ties. It now seems India must be prepared for greater instability in the region,given Pakistans worsening economic crisis,its widening rift with the international community and the intensifying turbulence on its western borders.
