What is happening here is a gradual transformation -- although that is not to say it cannot be reversed.

[According to political analysts, there were many contributing
factors.] The decline of the MMA had started much before the
local government elections, ... They failed
to deliver the goods to their electorates.

What one looks for is evidence, not rhetoric.

We will see how far he addresses these concerns.

I believe demonstrations have been planned by human rights groups who are far more annoyed at the human rights situation in Pakistan than General Musharraf.

It's a huge decision for them to take; there will obviously be some that are averse to shifting the role.