According to the Associated Press today, a major opposition party, the Muttahida-Qaumi Movement (MQM) voiced their backing for PPP co-Chairman, Asif Ali Zardari to become Pakistan’s next president, “as the power struggle following the resignation of Pervez Musharraf intensified.” The news agency added,
Zardari has played down speculation that he covets the top job. However, opposition backing will strengthen his hand in a struggle with coalition partner Nawaz Sharif over a compromise candidate to fill the post and the even more urgent issue of restoring judges purged by the former army strongman.
The AP cited a leader of the MQM, Haider Razvi, who said the party “wanted Zardari as president because of his past sacrifices and for his ‘wisdom and vision’ in handling Musharraf’s ouster.” The official advocated the next president be from outside Punjab, and noted that Zardari – a Sindhi – was “most eligible” for the job. The MQM, added the news agency, “dominates Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city, and other urban areas in the southern province of Sindh and recently buried its long animosity with Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party.”
An article released by Geo TV’s website today reported that Zardari thanked MQM chief Altaf Hussein for his “positive role during the political developments over the last few days.” In a statement released Wednesday, Zardari asserted, “I am thankful to all democratic forces including MQM that helped coalition government achieve key objective of forcing President Musharraf to resign.”
As speculation over Pakistan’s next president is likely to increase, news of clashes within the coalition government continues. According to the NY Times on Wednesday, “Political order in Pakistan frayed further on Tuesday, the day after President Pervez Musharraf resigned, raising questions about who in the deeply divided civilian government would be in charge and for how long.” The news agency added:
The instant deterioration in relations within the government became evident when Nawaz Sharif, the leader of one of the two major parties in the governing coalition, the Pakistan Muslim League-N, walked out of a meeting here over the restoration of the chief justice of the Supreme Court, who had been dismissed by Mr. Musharraf. He then headed back to his home in Lahore, a four-hour drive away.
An article in The News today seemed to affirm these reports. According to the piece, “Because of the recurrence of their [the PPP and PML-N] differences on the judges issues, the situation at one stage was so tense between the two leading coalition partners that some of those present in the meeting room of the Zardari House feared that the coalition might collapse sooner than later.” Dawn, in its coverage, echoed that coalition leaders failed to resolve their differences on the judiciary restoration, since both sides “refused to relax” their stance on the issue. The news agency added, “Sources told Dawn that Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan saved the day for the coalition by offering to play the role of a mediator between the two parties.”
What exactly is the issue over the judiciary? While Nawaz Sharif centered his political campaign around the reinstatement of the judges suspended by Musharraf, particularly Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Zardari “has made it clear that he does not want Mr. Chaudhry back on the bench,” noted the NY Times. The news agency added, “He prefers the chief justice installed by Mr. Musharraf after he imposed emergency rule in November, Abdul Hamid Dogar.” Given the iconic status of Chaudhry for the lawyers’ movement, compromising on his reinstatement seems unlikey. In fact, noted the Times, the movement regards Mr. Dogar as an illegal appointee. However, noted the news agency, “Mr. Dogar comes from Sindh Province, Mr. Zardari’s political base, and the two men are friendly.” [Image from Dawn]
Zardari’s reported unease with reappointing Chaudhry lies in the fear that the chief justice might undo an amnesty agreement that absolved the PPP co-chairman of corruption charges, part of a package arranged by Musharraf when Zardari returned to Pakistan with his late wife, former PM Benazir Bhutto. Such a development would of course complicate Zardari’s reported aspirations for the presidency.
Although officials like the ANP’s Asfandiyar Wali Khan and Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani have played down the disputes between coalition members, it seems we may be headed towards yet another political deadlock, a development that has serious ramifications for the future of this government. That is, of course, unless a miraculous compromise is reached during the next coalition meeting, slated to take place Friday. Dawn reported today that the ANP leader and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman “are expected to come up with a solution” for that session.
Meanwhile, the security situation remains increasingly volatile. According to media coverage, a suicide attack in the FATA region Tuesday, for which the [Pakistani] Taliban claimed responsibility, killed 32 people and wounded 55 in Dera Ismail Khan, a town near Waziristan. The NY Times cited a police chief who said the bombing “was part of continuing sectarian strife between Sunni and Shiites.” Many of the dead were Shiites, media sources reported, although two police officers were also killed in the attack. The NY Times also reported, In another unexpected move after Mr. Musharraf’s resignation, the chief of staff of the Pakistani Army, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, visited the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Tuesday…the first time the Pakistani general had attended a meeting of the commission in Kabul since assuming command of the Pakistani military in November.” [Image from NY Times]
How do issues related to security and economic problems factor into the political environment? Simple – The longer this coalition government argue over the current judiciary issue, the more distracted they are from these other problems. Moreover, a fracture in the coalition, as has occured in the past, would create a power vacuum that would inevitably have dangerous repurcussions for Pakistan’s volatile political, economic and security environment.
I am disgusted that this is even an option. Here’s a refresher from 1998 about our potential president, Mister Asif Ali Zardari Bhutto –> http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0CE5D91F30F93AA35752C0A96E958260
How did we let our country get to a point where Zardari is even considered to be an option for the position?
Also, all the local newspapers had pictures of Zardari, Sharif and Bilawal having intense talks with regards to a post-Musharraf Pakistan. Where is the Prime Minister? Shouldn’t the leader of parliament be more involved in the decision making process?
Check out # 2 –> http://www.teeth.com.pk/blog/2007/12/08/pakistans-rich-list-of-2008
Stop being disgusted in your self righteousness and learn to respect democracy.
If our elected representatives elect Zardari as President we should accept that decision and give him a chance.
If you are unhappy with the choice of our elected leaders and want to change Pakistan’s politics join a real party, one that can win not some loser group like Imran Khan’s party that can’t win votes.
Whether we on the blogs like Zardari or not, he can only become President if the majority of those elected by a majority of Pakistanis vote for him.
Pakistan has wasted too much time talking about politics without respecting the opinion of majority. India is far ahead of Pakistan because they are a democracy. They have had a Prime Minister for 5 full years (Narasimha Rao) who was convicted of corruption. But they respected the majority and their constitutional system. Zardari was not even convicted in any court.
[…] today, sindh, sindhi, southern province, strongman, today reported that, top job Read more at: CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan This post […]
Whether or not he was convicted in a court, he is guilty. The system was corrupt and unable to handle him. He is a man who will use any power he is given for his glory. It will be a terrible thing for Pakistan if Zardari wins. Most of all, it will do little to promote democracy.
[…] Link to the original site Author: wtfpakistan Time: Thursday, August 21st, 2008 at 4:21 am Category: Pakistan Comments: You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. RSS: You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Navigation: « Bush and Musharraf Share Lowest Approval Ratings […]
taking into account current situation i would say another coup is on the way
@ It is indeed despicable from Traitor MQM abstaining from
Prov. Assembly on Mushy destitution or impeachment and
now in bas tune approving, THE genetically GHAD’DAR
MQM has proposed Zardari, no wonder
CHOR KA BHAI, GIRRAH-CUT, or for Karachiites
Chor ka Bhai, Altaf Bhai, Altaf Bhai
Zardari the crook as President of Pakistan,
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA USA Policy.
Impeach Zarbhutts !!! its time now
@Choochoo Bhai,
We all know what kind of Democracy you have in Pakistan,
if you call this a democracy, where USA Ambassidor
intervenes
and meet privately with Election Commissioner, Your
elections were RIGGED LIKE ALWAYS, the dictatorship
of media decides when should you go to your toilet.
Always look at INDIA, THE MOTHERLAND yes before
going to Toilet. The constipated Democracy.
@ If you understand my Karachivi Punjabi,
there is a proverb so intelligent, says
RAB DANG’AN NEI MARDA,
DE’NDA MAT NOU MA’AR
TRANSLATION COULD BE
ALMIGHTY DOES’NT COME DOWN, TO PUNISH YOU,
HE SIMPLY TURNS YOUR ” KHOPRI ” AND YOU DO
SILLY THINGS AND DIG YOUR OWN GRAVE.
THANKS
ChooChoo – While I completely respect your opinion, and I do agree that democracy is the way forward, I question the way term “democracy” is put forward in our country. The essence of democracy lies in the fact that the government is accountable to the people, it is a reflection of what the people want. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, democratic governments are not accountable to the public either. If they were, then Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari would have been forced to come before the people and account for their mistakes.
It’s ironic that the man, who speaks the most highly of democracy, is the one making decisions on whether the Chief Justice should be re-instated or not. What position does he hold exactly to do that? Who elected him as the “voice of thep people”? PPP is not a democratic party within itself, it is controlled by the whims of one man, who has conveniently risen to power by ingratiating himself in his wife’s legacy; the other members have no power, and in that case, such a party is a threat to democracy itself.
Yikes! President Zardari just has a bad ring to it. I think he should be elected if and only if he changes his name to Asif Ali Bhutto. Now that would sound sooooooooo much better.
PS That was a joke.
Choochoo, haven’t we given him enough cash…oops, I meant chances
I am a supporter of PPP, however, Zardari as President, even I cannot understand such a move. It would be a political blunder. How can a political party president be president of the country in a parliamentary democracy? All this, while we blamed Musharraf for running Q league against the spirit of his office.
By all means, he can contest elections and be prime minister which will be proper and right. I hope it is a red herring and better sense will prevail.
I agree BILQUIS. If he does win elections, however, I hope that he proves us all wrong and actually does something good. InshAllah. This country needs a positive turn.
Zardari is a lot worse at handling the party than his wife was. His approval rating is dropping compared to Nawaz Sharif’s. Zardari is so focused on attaining power for himself, that he is dragging the PPP through the mud. Ultimately he will get trounced by the PML-N in the next election. Nawaz Sharif has done a much better job in his political maneuvering.
Zardari is a thug, not a politician. Don’t worry, he won’t last long.
Zardari has proven himself to be incapable of anything besides stealing money. He is a thief and the fact that the MQM supports him is disappointing and discouraging. I agree with Fahd, Zardari does not have leadership ability and he doesnt appeal to America like his wife did. He wont last long.
@ yes, Musharraf’s janashin could only be a thug and
crook from all the thugs and crooks of PPP, the country
will be in the tight grip of secular/Marxist dictatorship.
PPP announced the munhoos news, don’t know how
long these Zarbhutts will dwell on Pakistanis qismat,
Damn them all. The colonialism will show her true face.
The traitors with their ugly faces must disappear.
In the past, as he is now, 10% has been content (and actually sought) a position in the background. I think it would be a miscalculation for him to become President– no matter what his intentions are.
If he has good intentions– he should realize that his presence in the official government will lead to further fractioning of inter-party unity.
If he has bad intentions— he will have much more success in corruption by controlling the President.. not being the President.
So— President Zardari just doesn’t make sense.
Yes S for Shugufta, I agree with you too. However, Zaradari may prove what Cicero said that Politics is not a fight for justice. Politics is a profession…
[…] – Changing Up Pakistan is analyzing the reports and rumors that Asif Ali Zardari, the Co-Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) […]
@Yawar,
kindly stop joking around people’s confidential
DNA secrecy, not only Bilawal will be angry on you,
Kalsoom might shout at you ” CHUP ”
shss sshs ssh sshs
@dear commenters,
Pakistani ‘ Politics ‘ has entered into a very ‘matured’
phase run by the petty thugs and pick-pockets.
Here in Europe. a non serious politicologue described PPP as
a Party fully “stringed” by two neighbour countries.
Zardari self recycled and proclaimed candidature to ‘Presidium’
will be supported by Taliban’s founder Fazlurrehman.
Judges ki Bahali ” ghatrabood”.
More killings of innocent citizens.
Down fall of PPP will be Inshallah, end November 2008.
Just few miserable months ago on many Blogs CJ was
recommended for Harvard medal, slogans, enormous
support even all the strayed street dogs were asking for
JUSTICE to be reestablished, and now ?
this is indeed maturity !!!
@It is confirmed that Zarbhutts will be voted in by the
new alliance or coalition between
MQM + PPP + ANP + JUI F & co
minus PML-N and perhaps PML-Q and millions of
Pakistani men women without any doubt.
It is a collective Politicians choice indeed. !
@ A sample just before Ramadan,
Last Friday PTV Global’s journalist Zubairi, Mariyam (charming)
were interviewing the politicians of PPP, ANP, JUI and PML-N
The journalist called on telephone MQM’s Haider Rizwi WHO
confirmed that just Musharraf has gone but the administration
is all the same working on the same Mushy Policys and that Mushy blongs to central leftist progressivists same as PPP ANP & MQM. So we have revelations on the band of four crooks
goolagists Marxists nothing to do with “DEMOCRACY”.
They must be defeated. The Marxists are identified !!
” Bichh chorahey par bhanda bhoota “
why the word charming with mariam’s name ?
behave yourself.