On Sunday, the government gave a "final warning" to surrender and security forces fired tear gas and exchanged gunfire with rebels on Monday. But there haven't been any signs of the expected siege of the mosque. With women and children also holed up in the building, many possibly being held against their will as human shields, the government has tried to give them the opportunity to flee through holes blown in the walls last week. On Sunday, unmanned drones were dispatched to take infrared images that Pakistani TV reported had led the government to further delay any plans for a siege.
Was General Musharraf's decision to hold back a question of military logistics? Or did he vacillate too long, possibly in fear of the so-called "ninjas," a group of female Koran students dressed in the robes of avenging angels and determined to commit suicide attacks, holed up in the mosque? "They don't want to go home, they want to be martyrs," said a breathless 15-year-old Maryam Qayyeum, who had fled from the Koran school known for preaching hatred of everything Western and worldly.
Musharraf's true objective was probably to demonstrate his ability to deal with conflicts of this nature both prudently and patiently. The mosque has long been under the patronage of the Pakistani elite. "It was a creation of the government and has almost been firmly under its control," says Kashif Imran, a 28-year-old pharmacist. Like most Pakistanis, Imran is convinced that the crisis plays into the hands of Musharraf by enabling him to demonstrate his abilities, all the while making it clear to his adversaries and supporters alike that there is no alternative to Musharraf.
Pakistan, as it happens, is less of a state with an army than a functioning army with a weak state. Musharraf is in charge of both, at least until the fall elections.
True to form, he has no intention of allowing potential challengers to oppose his bid. Bhutto and Sharif, the two former prime ministers who have made their noble intentions clear with their carefully worded statements, will remain in exile for the time being. For his own security, Musharraf continues his practice of sleeping in a well-guarded military barracks instead of a more luxurious presidential residence. It appears that even elected dictators live dangerous lives.