'Musharraf losing sense of balance'

"Peshwar is normal two days after the imposition of emergency but people are still dazed and shocked. The Pakistani people are very depressed. We Pakistanis have never seen happy times. We are always facing endless crisis. Our situation is nerve shattering. People on the streets are severally criticising the emergency imposed by Musharraf." says Rahimullah Yusufzai, Peshawar-based senior journalist known for his dispatches on Jihadi terrorism.

He told rediff.com over telephone from Peshawar, "I think Musharaf is facing a huge challenge. Even after imposing emergency he is not going to meet this challenge successfully. He has political and legal challenges, international pressure and the threats from militants, which will increase now."

Yusufzai, who has extensively covered global war on terrorism in Pakistan, said, "I think disturbances in the tribal areas are not the problem. That is an excuse misused by Musharraf. He was worried about an adverse Supreme Court verdict in connection with his election as President. I believe this man knows he can't live in Pakistan if he stays out of power. He will have to face the music. He has family to protect and he has his position to protect. He is desperate to stay in power. One may be right in thinking that he is losing his sense of balance, now."

Yusufzai said Peshawar is peaceful but in anguish. City's lawyers and social activists are very critical of the emergency and are voicing their anger. The Peshwar high court bar is meeting on Monday to decide the future course of action to protest against the arrests of many lawyers in Peshawar. Tariq Pervez, chief justice of the Peshawar high court, has refused to take oath under the new political set up. He has become popular overnight, says Yusufzai. Justice Shah Jehan, his second in command has also refused to take oath.

Yusufzai says, "Indians have habit of democracy but it will take long for Pakistanis to fight back as you did in 1974."

While commenting on the misery of people in Pakistan, he said, "We have leaders without principles. We have an army that wants to remain in power. Even before this emergency there was the army rule in a civilian facade. And, there are enough people without principles in Pakistan supporting the Musharraf regime. I have no doubt that even if America attacks Pakistan these people without principles will continue support Musharraf and find justification for the attack."

When asked if he thinks the United States and United Kingdom's requests not to impose emergency have been ignored by Musharraf , Yusufzai said, "Musharraf is clever and he is not calling it martial law. Musharraf is too much dependent on US and UK. The US and UK are encouraging him. They want him to stay alive."

He says militant violence will increase in Pakistan because now, more than before, they will look at Musharraf as a leader who refuses to see ground reality.