On the eve of Musharraf's resignation, the whole country danced in jubilation and distributed sweets. But aren't these the same people who danced and distributed sweets when Pervez Musharraf took over in a coup staged on October 12, 1999? They had all heaved a sigh of relief when Nawaz Sharif was removed from scene and had welcomed the new 'messiah' with open arms. What difference has been made in their lives with the removal of Musharraf now? Have the coalition partners over come all crises in the country immediately after the removal of this one stumbling block? The man was already rendered impotent after defeat of his party in the general elections. He had given a free hand to the newly elected government under Yousaf Raza Gilani and was not even being consulted in any national matter. He was just a silent spectator with no powers. Yes, we would be justified in our jubilation if the new set up had overcome the crises of price hike, unemployment and lack of law and order in the country. If the judiciary had become independent and the plunderers of national wealth had been brought to book, we had cause to celebrate. If the NRO is repealed and all guilty were tried in open courts, we should dance and distribute sweets. But why exult on mere coming or going of someone? -MUHAMMAD AZHAR KHWAJA, Lahore, via e-mail, August 19.