KARACHI, 17 August — Though President Pervez Musharraf did unfold, on the country’s independence day on Tuesday, a “road map” for the revival of democracy by October next year, there was still considerable confusion about the details of the plan. It is generally taken for granted that he will continue to preside over the post-elections set-up but he did not reveal the constitutional scheme that would allow this to happen. Also, he did not say if the elections to the provincial and national assemblies, to be held between Oct. 1 and Oct. 11, 2002, will be held on party basis or not. Many questions that were raised about amendments to the constitution that he plans to introduce before the elections were left unanswered.

Still, a sense of cheer and hope was evident when President Musharraf addressed a convention of the newly elected mayors (nazims) and deputy mayors in Islamabad. Essentially, the occasion marked the ambitious and conceptually revolutionary launching of the local government system in the country, termed as the first phase in the revival of democracy. It is the kind of initiative that is bound to generate a lot of commotion as well as perplexity. A new and untried pattern of governance has been put into place and many critics foresee a state of administrative chaos.

In any case, the occasion was used by Gen. Musharraf to ostensibly create a major sense of movement —- a new beginning to raise the spirits of the people. At the same time that he announced the much-awaited schedule for parliamentary elections, he touched upon other important national issues. Many large projects to “kick-start” the economy and create employment are to be immediately inaugurated. In the area of law and order, a source of popular dismay, he announced a ban on two extremist sectarian groups and amended law to deal with sectarian and ethnic terrorism.

To a large extent, Gen. Musharraf had to present his democracy “road map” to influence the international public opinion because Western countries have repeatedly expressed concern about the absence of a definite plan for the restoration of democracy. It is crucial for Pakistan to win approval of its political sense of direction from the Western countries because of its dire need for support from international financial institutions.

By and large, though, Gen. Musharraf is seen as a moderate leader anxious to stem the tide of religious extremism in the country and his stature has risen after his performance at the Agra summit with India, in spite of the inconclusive nature of the talks.

In Washington, the State Department reacted cautiously to Gen. Musharraf’s speech on Tuesday. A spokesman welcomed the statement that general elections will be held within the period stipulated by the Supreme Court but wondered whether political parties would be allowed to take part in the polls.

The US, it was stated, would like to learn more about the role of the president and of the National Security Council in the future political setup. There are clear indications that democracy sanctions against Pakistan will continue till parliamentary elections are held.

Observers have noted that while elections are to be completed by Oct. 11, 2002, evidently to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive to do so within three years of the Oct. 12, 1999 coup, Gen. Musharraf said that transfer of power to the elected representatives would be completed between October and November 2002.

In its editorial titled “Meandering road map”, The News said on Wednesday: “A delay in completing the transfer process, even if it is of a week, excites strong emotions. A vague, two-month schedule amounts to encouraging a virtual chaos in the country if there are suspicions that the results are being doctored.” It added: “The government should remove all doubts from public mind by being more specific about what constitutional amendments it has in mind and giving the exact date when the military rule will end”.

As debate on Gen. Musharraf’s present plan for the restoration of democracy proceeds, the focus is likely to shift to his own continuation in power. He has already announced that he will not retire in October this year as the chief of the army staff and will give himself an extension. Constitutional experts say that unless he is elected in a direct or indirect election or through a referendum under the Provisional Constitution Order, his term as the president and as chief executive would come to an end once the constitution is restored after the elections.

So far, it is not clear how Gen. Musharraf will continue as president in the post-October 2002 democratic period. Similarly, there is no hint as to how would he ensure the continuity of his ambitious plans that he has announced, including his 10-year economic strategy.

Observers feel that decisions taken by the military high command may finally determine the political future of Gen. Musharraf.