So far, so planned

I meet with Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner to the UK and former High Commissioner to Norway, Abdul Basit. Debonair and sophisticated, he’s a career diplomat from the Foreign Service.  He ponders likely election outcomes.

“Most likely it’s going to be a coalition after February 18th  … a hung parliament, no single party will win. It’s a guessing game as to how it will turn out … things are looking very difficult for Hussain (the President of the PMLQ, the party supporting President Musharraf). The party majority will be reduced substantially. It will be hard for him to retain his numbers. Outgoing governments…those parties traditionally do not do well.”

Abdul Basit discusses various scenarios between three main parties.

“For the President to get indemnity, he needs a two thirds majority. For the opposition to impeach him, it needs a two thirds majority. It could get very difficult for the President. He would not like to be impeached.