SCENARIOS - What next in Pakistan's crisis?

PROTESTS GET OUT OF HAND

A worst-case scenario could arise if government efforts to stifle the protests fail and demonstrations snowball, leading to bloody clashes on the streets. Violence by Islamist militants intent on accelerating a descent into chaos can never be ruled out. Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik said on Saturday security agencies had information that "enemies of Pakistan" would launch suicide bomb attacks during the protest march.

In the event of serious violence -- either between protesters and security forces or by militants -- the army, which has ruled for more than half the country's 61 years of history, could feel compelled to intervene in some way, although most analysts say a military takeover is highly unlikely.

Analysts say army chief General Ashfaq Kayani is committed to supporting Pakistan's rocky transition to civilian-led democracy and Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the American PBS network on Friday that Kayani was unlikely to launch a military takeover to end the political crisis.

Serious violence could also expose fissures in Zardari's Pakistan People's Party and undermine his position.

RECONCILIATION

Despite the crackdown and fiery rhetoric, efforts to find a solution are going on behind the scenes with the backing of the United States and other allies. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has been promoting a compromise package involving concessions to Sharif's party and the judiciary.

A first step towards reconciliation came on Saturday when the government said it would seek a review of a Supreme Court ruling last month that barred Sharif and his brother from elected office. The ruling nullified a by-election victory by Sharif's brother, Shahbaz Sharif, and disqualified him from holding the office of chief minister of Punjab, the most populous and influential of Pakistan's four provinces. Sharif's party was then thrown out of power in Punjab and Zardari imposed central rule there for two months.