Washington, Nov 5 : Terming the proclamation of emergency in Pakistan by President General Pervez Musharraf as “a big embarrassment” for the Bush Administration, noted South Asian expert Teresita Schaffer said she would be surprised to see Musahrraf lasting in office even for six months.

“I would be very surprised if he lasts even six months.” Said Schaffer, who is the Director, South Asia Program, of the Washington based Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

The Bush Administration must now start “from the premise that (Musharraf) has gone, whether the people chuck him out or the military chucks him out,” said Xenia Dormandy, a former South Asia expert at the US National Security Council, the Daily Times reported.

US media reports said, Washington is of the opinion that the state of emergency in Pakistan will be short-lived and Musharraf will resign as army chief and hold elections by January 15.

The New York Times said the White House is stuck in wait-and-see mode, with limited options and a lack of clarity about the way forward”. (ANI)