A weak Musharraf or a strong Islamist movement

To get a sense of the weakening power of Musharraf, or perhaps the growing power of the Islamists, take a look at this article outlining the rumors of a political powersharing deal between Musharraf and former PM Benazir Bhutto.

Such a deal would certainly act to contain one side of the destabilization coming from the centrist People's Party, but it is significant that both Musharraf and Bhutto used to be strong enough to tamp down the Islamists on their own. Now, they're having to unbelievably work together to do so.

Also: One of the main tribal leaders in S. Waziristan has asked the Pakistani government to abandon the earlier peace deal and reintroduce troops to the region. This follows weeks of fighting between the tribalists and foreign fighters, primarily Uzbeks.

It sounds like the traditional tribesmen, with whom the deal was signed, are losing out in a power struggle with the Taleban and have asked the government to intervene to help them.