30. Musharraf Back in Pakistan

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/25/world/asia/pervez-musharraf-the-former-president-returns-to-pakistan.html?hp&_r=0

             Salman Masood, the author of the article "Former President Returns to Pakistan," talks about the return of the former Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. The military ruler had just ended his self exile of four years to try to restart a new political future. Pervez Musharraf resigned in 2008 after being threatened to be impeached; he left the country one year later and now he returned to Pakistan four years later. Several of his supporters waited for him in the airport in Karachi, waving supportive slogans and shouting out praises. Musharraf was threatened to death by Taliban militants; he has previously faced assassination attempts by terrorist groups Taliban and Al Qaeda. He was also charged of crimes such as the deaths of Benazir Bhutto and Nawab Akbar Bugti. The authorities have not allowed the former president to speak outside the airport. Many political analysts are saying that many of his allies and supporters are gone and he has no power to make any significant political differences in the country. Musharraf came into power after a rebellion in 1999 but in 2007, his popularity fell after he tried getting rid of the country's chief justice.
               The author uses several rhetorical devices in his writing. The author's purpose for writing this article is mainly informative: the author is informing readers about the former Pakistani President's return. The tone throughout the article is very neutral and serious. The audience of the article is definitely Pakistanis or other people interested in the country's politics. The author of the article Masood makes use of a lot of flashbacks. In other words, the author writes about the current situation (Musharraf's recent return to Pakistan) and then incorporates flashbacks (Musharraf's past/background information) so that the reader can be much more informed. The author also includes several descriptions which further show the pros and cons of the return; the former president received some applauds and support, but there was also the cost of terrorist threats and political conflict. The author's diction makes it seem like the country is in a political turmoil: the political situation of the country is in deep conflict as it was during Musharraf's leadership.