Media attention in a rapidly evolving political situation is not always focused on its essence; it may easily turn the spotlight on an aspect which seems to be unusual and, therefore, relatively more newsworthy.
In the post-election scenario in Pakistan the substantive question is the formation of the new government that can be undertaken only through the difficult art of coalition-building.
Notwithstanding this basic challenge of the new parliamentary realities a disproportionate degree of interest has been aroused by hectic western diplomacy that goes beyond the legitimate needs of foreign diplomats and their governments to elicit information.
They are being openly accused of trying to influence the formation of a ruling coalition and the composition of the new government.
The conventional version of this rather exaggerated foreign preoccupation with Pakistan's domestic politics is easily summarised. Led by the United States, the "West" that includes geographically remote countries such as Japan and Australia, has had a seven-year-old stake in Pervez Musharraf's absolute rule.
Belatedly, the West recognised the fact that this war would be more effectively waged if Musharraf's power base could be broadened with carefully calibrated restoration of democracy.
The peoples' verdict on February 18, however, deviated significantly from the game plan and brought to the fore political forces that were unwilling to accept Musharraf's supreme role.
Embroiled in a rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan as well as in the borderlands of Pakistan, western powers are feverishly engaged in promoting a new alliance between Musharraf and the winners of the election. Allegedly, they combine persuasion with coercion
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