As President Pervez Musharraf steps down from his position as chief of the Pakistani army, questions arise concerning his political acumen. Musharraf was not elected democratically eight years ago and may find himself isolated come January parliamentary elections. Both adversaries to Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, have returned from exile and have filed for seats in parliament.

General Ashfaq Kiyani was named by Musharraf as the new army chief of Pakistan. Handpicked by Musharraf, Kiyani apparently has no political ambitions and just as well because Musharraf can not afford anymore rivals just now.

Emergency rule remains in effect for Pakistan while Musharraf continues to perpetuate his rule by aligning himself with close allies such as Kiyani and Mohammadmian Soomro, his caretaker Prime Minister.