Pakistanis have reacted cautiously to the Supreme Court ruling, that came exactly seven months after the October 12 coup led by the Army Chief, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, upholding the military action which resulted in the ouster of a democratically elected government.

On May 12, the highest court of Pakistan ruled that widespread corruption justified the ouster of Nawaz Sharif's government, and challenged the present military rulers to accomplish the much-needed economic and political reforms within three years, and hold general elections within no more than 90 days thereafter.

 The Supreme Court said: "The military takeover was justified under the doctrine of necessity." The verdict regarded the evidence presented by the state against the former government's corruption and maladministration as sufficient. The court also gave the military regime the right to amend the constitution and "formulate laws for the betterment of the people."

To the man on the street of Pakistan, a country with a history of on-again off-again military takeovers and emergence of democracy, the ruling came as a pleasant surprise. They have mentally accepted the government's inability to announce such a timetable due to the colossal amount of work ahead of them. Three years for cleaning up corruption, clamping down on anarchy, and revitalization of a sick economy sounds like a mission impossible, but better than expected deal in the given circumstances.

For Sharif's sympathizers, this is a stunt to subside the mounting international pressure on the military rulers to announce a timetable for returning the country to democratic rule. The skeptics among them are asking: "What if no significant results are achieved at he end of the three years?" They have openly expressed disappointment over the ruling, however, stopping short of directly blaming the court for being under the influence of the military rulers.

The civil right activists look at it as a validation of the military takeover, demonstrating the vulnerability of the judiciary as the verdict grants power to the CEO to amend the constitution of Pakistan.

For the international community, it seems a small step in the positive direction, and certainly not a high jump into the expected zone that would summon their instant welcome response. The ruling did not even prompt the United States to acknowledge the development, seemingly in consistency with President Clinton's firm stance over the ouster of the democratic government of an old ally.

Gen. Musharraf tookover power in a bloodless coup after a commercial airliner he was flying home ending an official trip abroad was prevented from landing in Karachi. The landing took place with only seven minutes of fuel remaining. The seizure of power from a democratic government by a military general, amidst overt objections from the world community, was generally welcomed by the people of Pakistan, who saw it as a relief from the rampant corruption, lawlessness, and lack of accountability.

Sharif, who has been in jail since the coup, followed by the conviction on April 6 for hijacking and treason by an anti-terrorist court in Karachi, has been formally charged with three counts of corruption. At least six additional charges are expected to come up in connection with allegations of abuse of authority, illegally used government funds and general corrupt practices.

On the day of the Supreme Court ruling, Sharif lodged a complaint with another court regarding his solitary confinement in Fort Attock in the north, and the grim conditions of his prison cell. He had appeared in the court to hear new evidence against him of tax evasion and fraudulently importing a $2 million helicopter.  "Why is this fort being used? Because they want to go back to the 16th century. How can I get a fair, transparent and open trial here?"

The government prosecutors have scoffed the talk of fairness by Sharif, whose family owns a business empire and paid only $250 in taxes last year. Evidence like this, and more, have given boost to the position of the present government for a thorough cleanup of the embedded corruption in the society, before it can create conditions to allow democracy to take roots in Pakistan.

In spite of its commitment, for a government in a country, the military ruled 25 years out of its 53-year-old history, three years is not a lifetime! However, Gen. Musharraf needs to move, and move fast cautiously and conscientiously, if he is to deliver what he has promised to the people of Pakistan.