The Economist: Political crisis in Pakistan. Sermon on the container.

From a base in converted shipping containers, placed on Islamabad's main thoroughfare, Tahir ul Qadri, a populist cleric who has been demanding changes to Pakistan's electoral system, delivered thunderous addresses all this week. Many saw the troubling influence of of Pakistan's powerful armed forces behind him. That may be why he felt able to make extraordinary demands on the government. Mr Qadri's demand for reforms reached far beyond the constitution, in the name of creating a "real democracy", and kicking out corrupt politicians. He led some 50,000 followers to Islamabad, including many women, who camped out in the capital, close to the parliament building. It was not so much a protest, as an occupation of Islamabad. They vowed not to move until their demands were met. The white bearded religious cleric, who heads a cult like but moderate Islamic organization, seemed to have unlimited funds available to him. He had been delivering deadlines for weeks to the government. On January 14th he had also declared that the government and its ministers were no longer in office, as they had been "dismissed" by him. On January 17th, he gave the government just 90 minutes to come to him and start negotiations. Ministers and other senior officials from the ruling coalition, which is led by the Pakistan Peoples Party, went rushing to his shipping container, which was kept raised above the crowd. After some five hours of talks there, a written agreement emerged that in its language and substance was Mr Qadri's agenda. There will now be a one month pre clearance of election candidates by the Election Commission, which is to probe their honesty, before they are allowed to stand. The agreement also gives Mr Qadri's organization a say in the appointment of the caretaker prime minister, who is required by the constitution to oversee the election period. Mr Qadri had also called for the Election Commission to be reconstituted. This too is to be considered at further negotiations, which will be held at the headquarters of Mr Qadri's outfit. No date has been announced for the election, but there is an undertaking now from the government to wind itself up before its five year term ends, on March 16th. In all, this hardly shortens the government's period in office.