Clever move by the Presidency

According to news report, the presidency has prepared a draft constitutional amendment bill for the restoration of sacked judges which excludes Ch Mohammad Iftikhar. I can see a fivefold objective behind this move;

1.      To make parties like PML-N accept the PCO-PLUS of November 3, 2007, a constitutional act.

2.      To give a breathing space to President Musharaf (who is under tremendous pressure to quit) by diverting the attention of those who want to see him go.

3.      To put Nawaz Sharif in tight corner and create a wedge in his party, especially when the future of Punjab Assembly is not yet clear.

4.      To compel Aitezaz Ahsan take a compromised line (otherwise he would not have said that he had some reservations over the draft bill instead of rejecting it outright). It is reported that he is eyeing for NA.55 seat and waiting for a nod by the annoyed Asif Zardari.

5.      To weaken PPP by creating rift within the party