Power to the Pervez

Pakistan's parliament has approved new powers for Gen. Pervez Musharraf. It does set a resignation date, makes at least a nod in the direction of doing things pro forma rather than merely asserting powers (the likely alternative), and might conceivably even have the stabilizing effect Musharraf's flaks are claiming in light of the endorsement by the Islamist parties. On the other hand, it might persuade Musharraf opponents who'd previously been willing to work within the system that this is no longer a viable option. But I'll leave the prognostication to folks who actually know something abotu the country. Meanwhile, today's WSJ editorial [subs.] is, coincidentally, on Pakistan as "the weakest link."