Pakistan: Back From The Brink?

Now-civilian Pakistan prez Pervez Musharraf now says he will withdraw the state of emergency in his country on December 16 -- the day after candidates can withdraw their applications to run, as they would have to do if they move forward with plans to boycott the election.

And if that happens, some experts say the state of emergency could be reinstated.

Political analyst Shafqat Mahmood told private English channel DAWN NEWS that the date of Dec. 16 is significant because it came a day after the date by which candidates are allowed to withdraw their nomination paper.

"If political parties boycott elections, he might not withdraw [the] emergency an [Provisional Constitutional Order]," he said.

It's a long, long way to a stable Pakistan -- something there's precious little precedent for -- but at least the toes aren't hanging over the cliff now.