With those in the saddle actually doing far more than their predecessor in the khakis, one-window it still is, and even better served with a democratic faade. Quietly and discretely, the US seem to have been allowed to entrench itself to breathe down our strategic assets which are in the process of being compromised. Add to this, the chaotic governance, not just insensitivity but complicity in extortion and exploitation of the masses; this is the system the government and its allies are striving to save. One hopes that the PML-N is aware of the fact that those it is underwriting to secure and support, are seeking to render the July 31 Supreme Court ruling ineffective by camouflaging into their constitutional proposals, an amendment regularising vital decisions taken by Musharraf during November 3 and December 15, 2007 as routine. Eminent jurists have already voiced their grave concern over this sinister move. Rather than brace up to stall any misadventure by foreign powers, the politicians, oblivious of virtual leasing out of the country, are engaged in scratching each others back, and busy inventing ways to let bygones be bygones, constitute a so-called Truth and Conciliation Commission, to gloss over the past, make confessions and public apologies for their past conduct, and move on to 'do more of the same yet again. Thre is a tragic apathy of the Pakistani leadership to the death trap being set for Pakistan, and a very simplistic view of criminal exploitation of national resources by a chosen few. Already, instead of taking cognisance of rank corrupt practices, while the people gasp for breath and bread, the current Parliament is preparing to table a Bill in the Parliament, which practically amounts to giving permanent immunity to the parliamentarians over such excesses at the expense of the public exchequer, as if they had descended from the heavens to deserve the special reprieve. How can such elements making the bulk of Pakistans leadership, be expected to protect the country and bring the offenders of the constitution to justice, when they not only sleep on international conspiracies against the State, but themselves undermine the supremacy of the Parliament they dont tire of seeking to re-assert. Looking at the dilly-dallying approach of the government, Mushahid Hussain is probably right in suggesting that the warring factions must forget about trying Musharraf, and should instead focus on other burning issues bedevilling Pakistan, as he thinks that a phone call from Riyadh will be enough to settle the storm in the tea cup. It is unfortunate and a sorry reflection all the same, on the inability of the Pakistani leadership, be it civil or military, to settle internal matters without an external referee. One is not sure though, if Mushahid and Co, have taken notice of the greater danger posed by the men from Mars in Islamabad. A factor, which will forever go against Statehood in Pakistan, is this curse of the so-called 'deals, which of late have been, and still are being brokered between individual aspirants to the countrys leadership by third parties and external players. Slogan-mongering Pakistani leadership comes out as a bunch of self-seekers, who all along, have readily submitted to the carrot offered by vested interests, and compromised Pakistans position. They have not only humiliated themselves but slighted the image of the entire country in the comity of nations, in taking up baits like the infamous NRO, the likes of which, all and sundry have availed in one form or the other in the past. To say that the spoils of the NRO stand availed and consumed, and that it cannot be challenged, is a detestable view of swallowing public money and washing crimes against fellow-countrymen. One is aghast, as to how there can be a deal between two individuals over the fate of the country, which is Gods trust in the hands of the people. The only deal, which was meaningful, was the one by the Quaid-i-Azam with the British, for the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of British India. But how can anyone be allowed to barter away the interests of that homeland for personal ends, be it the deal between Yahya and ZAB, Musharraf, Nawaz or Zardari among themselves or with foreign powers holding vested interests, or the current third party brokered 'grand deal of keeping Musharraf away from the country and out of politics, in return for shoving away impending proceedings against him under Article 6? Is this country open to bidding for a selected few to avail and enjoy, while the teaming millions of countrymen haplessly look on? No Sir, not anymore. Even though the Saudis who are held in great reverence by Pakistan, are well-meaning in their indulgence, one wonders why they should expect a person found guilty by the full Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, of flouting his oath and subverting the constitution of the country, with a score of misdemeanours to his name, to be pardoned or made peace with? More so, when the Superior Court cleared Nawaz Sharif of the generals plane hijack as a false pretext, it is intriguing that they should seek to call it quits with such a person, when in their own country, they chop limbs and heads for crimes of far lesser magnitude. This is what is conjectured to be happening in the recent sojourns of Rehman Malik and Musharraf to the Saudi Capital, while Mian Nawaz Sharif, now in Saudi Arabia for Umrah, has mildly suggested to the Monarch not to get dragged into Pakistani politics. The US, on whose bidding the Saudi Monarchy seems to be interjecting this time, is clearly ensuring protection for a person who has served them so well for the better part of his tenure. They know that if they did not come forward, future recruitment of bidders for compliance may become hard to harness. Coupled with this and the launching of a former spy to wash dirty linen in public, the major political parties which have so far co-existed as uncomfortable bed-fellows, in turn, are being urged on to another battle royal, which does not auger well for the system. While Zardari has been evasive, Nawaz was lukewarm and apparently impressing no one with his patience, despite jumping off the marble-eyed sleuth into the foray, causing another bout of mutual mudslinging; the MQM as usual playing the martyr and making the best of both at all times. The mist, about who may have launched the current campaign, would clear up within the coming days and weeks, unwittingly though, it is also maligning the Establishment, portraying them as the dirty guys who allegedly have been manipulating various electoral processes in the country, and buying loyalties of politicians. For any former armed forces officer having enjoyed key positions, one wonders if the Army Secrets Act allows him to dabble publicly in a dangerous besmearing campaign, impinging upon the image of the key components of the federation, to the outside world. It is rumoured that sensing some manoeuvrings against the president who was hedging over implementing the Charter of Democracy, the presidential camp had allegedly let loose through the media, a former key operator in the ISI and later Head of the Intelligence Bureau during the term of Nawaz Sharif, who was 'introduced to Mr Zardari during their Hudiara confinement, in order to force him to abandon his demand for Musharrafs trial under Article 6, which because of the 'deal leading it to the power corridors, the PPP is unwilling to pursue. There is also a lobby in the press trying to scare Mian Sahib from the path, citing the horrible examples made of those insisting on hurting American interests. One largely agrees with the assessment of a renowned columnist, as well as the Americans who do not normally look back after their interests are served, that Musharraf was now history. However, I do not subscribe to his view that the general would be booed or lynched if he dared return to the country. On the contrary, if the present political set up fares as precariously, and rather than bring any relief to the common man, continues to strike under the table political and economic deals in self-interest, the general we seek to condemn, may start to be remembered for something good he may have done, as are Ayub and Zia from time to time. After all, there were far fewer drone attacks during Musharrafs tenure, and while there may have been a few dozen marine commandos stationed at Tarbela who were attacked by the Taliban some years ago, the current presence of US military personnel brandishing arms and combat vehicles in Pakistan, was not there. May be this is why the US wanted him off the scene. Little do they realise that with such expansion, they may well be presenting themselves as sitting ducks to the militants they want to destroy and eliminate. The incumbent leadership sermonizes looking ahead and leaving the past behind. Looking ahead for what? More capitulation and virtual leasing of the country to the US? Another brand of accountability providing immunity to politicians for all misdoings in future 'in the larger interest of the State? Or more exploitation, more amassing of wealth by a few, and widening further the gap between the haves and the have-nots? How long will the PPP live on the martyrdom of Bhutto and Benazir, and all political parties including the PML-N live on blaming military governments for the countrys woes, without doing anything better themselves? Are 62 years not enough to chart a unified course for the future of the country? The time to rediscover an equitable social, political and economic system, rather than save the present decadent, preferential and discriminatory one, is now, when forces inimical to Pakistan are hell bent on keeping it in a limbo. The PPP leading the treasury benches along with its allies are indeed in the dock, but the main opposition namely PML-N, which has so far only made token protests over virtual surrender to imperial diktats, will also need to explain its silence, as to how after defying these powers over Pakistans nuclear detonation, can it become oblivious of the impending danger to the same strategic arsenal. Is the party ignorant or does it have its priorities all mixed up? Nuclear Pakistan today, faces a four-pronged assault instead of having to contend with the only known adversary in the neighbourhood in the past. It is sandwiched between belligerent India and a touted Afghanistan, while the Zionist imperial forces are taking a strategic stranglehold hoping to zero in on its nuclear assets, and fuelling insurgency and militancy within the Pakistani landmass. All genuine stakeholders in Pakistan will need to pull their act together not to save a Godforsaken system, which has delivered nothing to its people, but to save the country. The writer is a freelance columnist