Mohammedmian Soomro is expected to swear in tomorrow as Pakistan’s interim PM, along with other newly appointed cabinet officials. The signal is supposed to mark a restoration to order and a concession by Musharraf that puts the country one step closer to parliamentary elections.

But after the stunts of the past few weeks, its hard not to look beyond the face value of Musharraf’s moves. Soomro does come from a long line of politicians, and is the chairman of the country’s Senate. So far so good.

Board member of Shell Pakistan, Pak Arab Refinery, Chairman of Pakistan Bank Association… suddenly, it gets a little slippery. For a country whose last several Prime Ministers (Bhutto, Sharif) have been exiled for corruption and fiscal (mis)interests, this is a curious move.

Again the same question arises: For the good of Pakistan, or for Musharraf? Even the fast-as-molasses Bush Administration is beginning to separate the two. They’re holding strategic talks — imagining a Pakistan without Musharraf. So if this move was Musharraf’s attempt to signal to the global opposition that an end to this self-imposed and self-serving emergency is in sight, he’s not doing to well.

If you can?t fool the man that once said ?fool me once, shame on ? shame on you. Fool me ? you can’t get fooled again,” who’re you going to fool?