. . . the political party of outgoing President Pervez Musharraf (PML-Q) has become kingmaker (Daily Times):
Campaigning for the September 6 presidential election gathered momentum on Thursday as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stepped up efforts to win over the PML-Quaid (PML-Q).
Just six monthas ago, conventional wisdom held that the PML-Q was toast, on its way out along with Musharraf. Now, it has emerged as the third force – just as I figured - and Musharraf himself may be in the position to pick his own successor.
More to the point, this will repeat itself once more when it comes to major governing issues. I’m guessing that at some point, either of the two major parties will look to the PML-Q as a coalition partner. Musharraf and his party clearly have enough power and support to be a force in Pakistan.
Whether they are a force for good or ill remains to be seen.
