THOSE dissatisfied with our periodic experiment with democracy have often complained that elected legislatures have never been allowed to complete their appointed terms; they have been dissolved by presidential flat midway through their tenures.
General Musharraf is telling all concerned that this will happen no more, that the present assemblies, elected in October 2002, will stay in place and complete their terms, and that the next elections will be held on schedule in 2007.
In a recent statement, he has told the PML-Q legislators not to get scared and assured them that the PPP and PML-N leaders, currently in exile, will not be allowed to return to Pakistan until about two years from now (if then). This is good news for the PML-Q, MMA and the MQM. These are the parties in power at this time.