When Musharraf imposed emergency on November 3, 2007, he was severely criticised by all democratic forces. The reaction of PPP was most prickly of all, Benazir being a vocal critic, on the forefront of the opposition to this action .The only ones who defended his action at that time were his allied parties like the PML-Q, MQM and PPP-Sherpao. Fast forward to the recent PPP act of imposing the Governor rule in Punjab that has put the party in a similarly awkward position. None of PPP allies (ANP, MQM. and JUI etc) have defended it; some have actually condemned it. PPP is in a bind here as the arguments being put forward in defense of this action by its various uncomfortable leaders on TV channels sound rather trifling and shallow. This undemocratic act is a body blow to the PPP sympathizers. None that deem themselves democrats and claim to have principles could be comfortable defending this action even if they dare not openly condemn it in public due to party discipline. -A.J. KHATTAK, Peshawar, via e-mail, February 27.