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THE nomination of Asif Ali Zardari for the office of president seems to have stunned everyone, including the people of Pakistan. During the long struggle for the removal of Pervez Musharraf by the politicians, civil society groups and the lawyers' movement, this was one possibility that was never considered.
But the prospect of Benazir Bhutto's widower taking over from Musharraf has always been there. Only they did not expect Musharraf would eventually go. And even if some of them did, no one thought Zardari would step forward to replace him.
Of course, as the leader of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Zardari has every right to run for the top job. But given his controversial past and the long history of corruption cases and allegations regarding misuse of power, this presidential poll is going to be anything but a smooth affair. The PPP may be able to just about manage the numbers game with the help of MQM "” it was MQM chief Altaf Hussain who first proposed Zardari's name "” and other minor players.
However, the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has understandably refused to support Zardari's candidature unless the judiciary is restored and the 17th Amendment of the constitution that denies him a third term as PM is revoked.
Zardari's Machiavellian plotting has caught Sharif by surprise. Even if Sharif's party supports Zardari in a quid pro quo for the restoration of judges, the PPP-PML partnership is unlikely to survive long.
With the PPP getting both the plum jobs of president and prime minister "” Parliament Speaker Fahmida Mirza also comes from PPP "” the equation between the two leading parties will dramatically change. Sharif's party is likely to sit in opposition rather than be part of a Zardari show. Sharif has given a final deadline for the restoration of judges that ends today.
In any given scenario, this means more uncertainty and instability in Pakistan. Which is a great tragedy for this South Asian nation of 170-million people. Pakistanis aren't even done celebrating the peaceful exit of Musharraf and they are now faced with another crisis at a time when they can't afford any more uncertainty.
On the other hand, there has been little progress on the question of judges' restoration, a week after Musharraf's exit. This was promised by the government and was expected to take place within hours of the general's departure. It's not clear why the PPP is dragging its feet on the issue. Is it the fear of all those cases against Zardari being revived? Or is the party just buying time until the election of Zardari as president and then take the credit for judges' reinstatement?
Whatever the explanation, these are obviously critical times for Pakistan. And in these extraordinary times, people expect their politicians to think and act like leaders who care for their country and keep its interests above their own.
Pakistan's Ruling Coalition Collapses Amid Dissent
By Candace Rondeaux
Washington Post Foreign Service, , August 25, 2008
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 25 -- Pakistan plunged deeper into political chaos Monday as a top party in the country's coalition government vowed to quit the coalition and support an opposition candidate for the presidency.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-N party, said he plans to vigorously oppose his one-time political partner, Asif Ali Zardari, leader of the Pakistan People's Party and widower of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The announcement, which came a week after Pervez Musharraf resigned as Pakistan's president, set off a heated race for the presidency and raised questions about the future of the shaky alliance between the United States and Pakistan's top political leaders.
Sharif said he decided to quit the coalition government after Zardari, who assumed leadership of his party after Bhutto's assassination in December, announced plans to run for president on Saturday and reneged on a promise to reinstate dozens of judges deposed by Musharraf.
"We have been forced to take this decision, which we take with great regret," Sharif said during a nationally televised news conference in Islamabad on Monday. "Zardari pledged in writing to reinstate the judges within one day of Musharraf leaving."
For complete story, click here
Zardari as the president of Pakistan:
By Dawoodi Morkas, ACA
Pakistan would spell doom if it happens. He is my college mate we studied in St. Patrick's College Karachi. He was a pauper, before he met Benazir Bhutto (BB) in a dance party and some how made her his wife, the final days relations between them, were as that of a divorced couple, ask any of the insider they will tell you.
He had a degree from an English institute, to prove his graduation; the institute was nowhere to be found when authentication was required. He not only forged the degree but also even forged the entire institute. To overcome this obstacle the first thing he made Musharraf to do was to do away with the legislation requiring the aspirants of the office of National, Provincial assemblies and Senate may be a non-graduate. Such are his attributes he can sell the entire country for his sake and destroy and dream without remorse or reprisal.
The National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) that was promulgated to give a safe passage to BB has saved him from the hundreds of cases of loot and plunder and of murders and mingles, which if opened would make him stay in jail till eternity, if he was to live that long.
The proof of all the above allegation are that he can go back on his party words which deal was signed by BB, that Musharraf would remain the President in guarantee of a UAE prince, and throw him conveniently with the support of an arch rival party, but would not restore the judges as he knows that an independent judiciary would make him step down from what ever farce he has been able to score todate.
He has made so many somersaults on the issues facing the nation; that the economy has nose-dived since his reign on power. Pakistan is an agriculture economy, yet people in the rural areas are dying and parents plunge into rivers with their offspring to save them from starvation, where as he is busy introducing his juvenile son to be crowned chairman of the party, in the midst of the blood bath that the country has never witnessed in its history.
In the last six months since the PPP coming to power, the inflation has gone as high as 26%, and the rupee has lost it value against the dollar from Rs. 60 to Rs. 77, down by 28%. There are rumors that by the first year of PPP power the inflation would reach 50% and Dollar would be valued at Rs. 100. The foreign exchange reserves of the country which had shown a healthy figure of $ 15 billion, have receded to a single digit figure, and going down by the day, gathering fear that the country may not be able to meet its foreign liabilities in the near future.
If Zardari becomes the president the country would be governed by people who can offer the best price for the job that would be on sale to run the country, meaning all the looters and plunders would be holding the offices of the government departments and there would be no rule of law and of dignity of humanity, he will prove to be the worst of rulers shaming the controversial rule of all the past dictators of the country.
GOD, PLEASE SAVE THE COUNTRY.
Email: dawoodi@dawoodi.com.pk
Warning from the Grave
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