After a period of great unrest in Pakistan we are starting to see signs that the worst may be over, but hopes that everything will be back to normal in the short term appear a little optimistic.  The major news has been the decision of President Pervez Musharraf to give to give up his military service and return to civilian life as President of the country.  He has also declared that the state of emergence will be lifted on the 16th December, at which point the country can begin to return to normal.  So will this be enough to appease the public?

There is still greater anger in the country and many are pinning their hopes on the January elections which President Musharraf has claimed will be fair and democratic.  However there is much scepticism in the country with fears that the elections will not be carried out fairly, intimidation of voters and increased violence.  While it is hoped that the likes of Benazir Bhutto will stand against the President, there are grave concerns about the safety of leading candidates, especially those who decide to stand in the elections.

The recent change of heart by President Musharraf seems to have been prompted by the intervention of President George Bush, a man who holds much sway in the country and has also depended on them in his fight against terror.  There has been no official confirmation of talks between the two parties or even two countries, but behind the scenes phone lines have been hot for some time.

It will be interesting to see how the January elections pan out with many people convinced that they will not even happen.  What is clear is the fact that something does need to be done to bring law and order back to the country, a country that has been ruled by President Musharraf since his military coup on 1999.