Change, so be it!

The multi-dimensional conflict raging across Pakistan continues unabated, generating new demons with every fresh onslaught. The military operation in the North-West has added to the political unrest that is perpetuating the state of uncertainty. Mr Zardari's article in the New York Times demanding of the US to stop dancing with the dictators and a veiled reference to the brewing conspiracy against him have added fuel to the speculation that all may not be well, after all.
My counterpoint would be whether any one expected it to be all right in the wake of the manner of the ascent to power of the incumbent leadership? I am afraid there would be few ayes while a preponderant majority would come forth with a negative response. The core issue that has always afflicted the working of the group in power is its thin claim to legitimacy whether it is of the political, constitutional or moral nature. Unfortunately, on all counts, the leadership would fail to even scrape through.
There have been many queries raised with regard to the manner in which the military operation could have been more effective and may not have dragged on endlessly as it seems under the present circumstances. The government's claim to having eliminated the second and third rung leadership of the militants makes for a hollow achievement in the face of their top guns not having been nabbed. Did any one ponder the prospect that one should have gone for the leadership of the militants before launching the operation to cleanse the remnants as, in the absence of the chain of command, the rank and file of the terrorist networks could have suffered a fatal blow? That could have been done with the intelligence agencies taking the lead. It appears the option was not given a serious thought. That may reflect the inability of the planners of the operation, even their unwillingness. The fact that the operation was launched across the troubled areas practically simultaneously, thus spreading the available resources in men and material rather thin, may speak of an inherent weakness at the planning stage. The announcement of substantial head money on the elimination or the arrest of the top leadership of the terrorist networks further added to the perception of the strength of the militants as it proved that they were all well and leading the charge.