Facing fear in Pakistan
President Pervez Musharraf's popularity sank to a new low as terrorist violence raged a week ahead of Pakistan's parliamentary elections. "The auguries for a fair vote could hardly be worse," said The Boston Globe. If Pakistan's new army chief c
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
What happened
A suicide bomber killed 16 people at a campaign rally in Pakistan over the weekend, raising security concerns ahead of Feb. 18 parliamentary elections seen as crucial to restoring stability. (Reuters in the National Post) Polls released Monday showed the popularity of President Pervez Musharraf falling to a new low, and opposition politicians could win in a landslide that would loosen his grip on power. (The Washington Post, free registration)
What the commentators said
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“The auguries for a fair vote could hardly be worse,” said The Boston Globe in an editorial (free registration). And the violence, which could scare away voters, isn’t the only problem. Musharraf has imposed a strict code of conduct for private TV channels that has “stifled criticism of his government” and blocked coverage of opposition rallies. Everyone expects the president’s allies to rig results, at least in remote areas. The U.S. and other allies should press for fairness, since the stability of a nuclear-armed nation that is a “sanctuary for al Qaida and the Taliban” affects the world.
The U.S. war in Afghanistan could hinge on this vote, said the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in an editorial. Pakistan has been both an ally in the fight against the Taliban, and a “hotbed for violent radicals.” And now one election could determine whether the country improves, or slides into chaos. Fear is high, and voter turnout is understanbly expected to be low. “If Pakistan collapses, Afghanistan, already on the verge of being a failed state, might be doomed.”
It is the job of one man to keep Pakistan from spiraling out of control, said John Barry, Zahid Hussain, and Ron Moreau in Newsweek. Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani three months ago took over from Musharraf as head of a Pakistani army left “widely distrusted and deeply demoralized” by Musharraf’s dictatorship, as “armed allies of Al Qaeda rampage in the countryside and suicide bombers terrorize the cities.” He is racing to “undo the damage” and get the military out of politics. Unless he succeeds, the official outcome of the voting “could be beside the point.”
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
Today's political cartoons — October 1, 2023
Sunday's cartoons - retail theft, Bob Medendez's bribery charge, and more
By The Week Staff Published
-
10 things you need to know today: October 1, 2023
Daily Briefing Government shutdown avoided as Congress passes temporary funding bill, Supreme Court to begin new term as major cases await, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
6 thrilling reads chosen by Ken Follett
Feature The historical novelist suggests works by Frank Herbert, Charles Dickens and more
By The Week Staff Published
-
Dianne Feinstein, history-making Democratic US senator, dies at 90
The Explainer Her colleagues celebrate her legacy as a trailblazer who cleared the path for other women to follow
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Will the cannabis banking bill get the Senate's green light?
Talking Point The SAFER Banking Act is advancing to the US Senate for the first time, clearing a major hurdle for legal cannabis businesses. Does it stand a chance?
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Trump surrenders in Georgia election subversion case
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries chosen to succeed Pelosi as leader of House Democrats
Speed Read
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
GOP leader Kevin McCarthy's bid for House speaker may really be in peril
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Are China's protests a real threat for Beijing?
opinion The sharpest opinions on the debate from around the web
By Harold Maass Published
-
Who is Nick Fuentes, the white nationalist who dined with Trump and Kanye?
Speed Read From Charlottesville to Mar-a-Lago in just five years
By Rafi Schwartz Published
-
Jury convicts Oath Keepers Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs of seditious conspiracy in landmark Jan. 6 verdict
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published