Opposition Parties Likely To Sit Out Pakistan Elections

It is becoming more clear that the opposition parties in Pakistan may sit out the upcoming elections as the martial law decree by General Pervez Musharraf only makes truly democratic and open electioneering very difficult. All of this only means that the upcoming January elections will be a progovernment farce, and only create the climate for a popular uprising and possible overthrow of the government more likely. If such a revolt comes, it will likely be with strong middle class support, and lead to a moderate revolution rather than put radicals into power. However the climate of instability created in this nation after the decree of martial law is a serious backtrack of what should have a peaceful run-up to somewhat open elections.