The Pakistani Spectator

As the rifts between the leadership of PML-Q and General (r) Pervez Musharraf are widening, the hopefuls like Hamid Nasir Chattha, Manzoor Hussain Wattoo, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Humayun Akhtar Khan are becoming hyperactive in the presidency to paint a rosy picture for the retired General and weakening President.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmad is reported to be the most hyperactive agent in the President House right now. Sheikh Rashid has told Musharraf that only if the Chaudharys are removed from the leadership of PML-Q, the olden days of Musharraf could return. Sheikh, who himself was ignominiously defeated from both of his Rawalpindi constituencies, has told Musharraf that PPP would support him from NA-55 Rawalpindi, if Chaudharies are removed and PPP was ready to have a publicly declared relationships with President.

The biggest worry for Musharraf right now is the impeachment. Then he is wary of getting his powers clipped by the parliament, and then comes the worry of Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary as the chief justice. Musharraf knows that PML-N is hopeless for him, and he has to exploit the judges issue conflict between PPP and PML-N. He has ordered PML-Q to play as soft and friendly opposition with PPP and be prepared to join the government as soon as PML-N part ways with PPP on the judges issue.

But the thing is that Chaudharys have got a huge clout in the Punjab and they have firm links in Sindh and NWFP and they have got loyalists in the Balochistan. They have family relationships in the army and establishment and they have also got good rapports with the foreign powers. They have shown the masters in Washington in the past that how good and subservient slaves they could be on a wink from US, and they have assured them this time. For Washington Chaudhrys are much better a choice than the Nawaz Sharif or even anyone from within the PML-Q cadres.

Musharraf cannot afford to lose Chaudhrys, and Chaudhrys cannot afford to lose Musharraf. Their destines are tied together now.