“If we set our expectations according to hard realities, we would not end up being disappointed,” says Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Former Ambassador to the United States.

If there were any illusions about Pakistan returning to democracy after the October elections, they vanished last month when President Musharraf unveiled his plan to redraft the constitution and acquire sweeping powers.

Sectarian murders continue unabated as the government’s ban on militant organisations – and its half-hearted follow-up – appears to only have rendered the terrorists more elusive than ever.

“This referendum could bring about a 1970s-like situation,” says Tehmina Daultana, vice-president, PML(N),and vice-president, Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD).

It was, perhaps, the toughest moment for President Musharraf when he went on national television last month to announce his decision to outlaw five Islamic militant groups.

Life is a minefield strewn with danger for the long suffering people of Jammu and Kashmir .