President Asif Ali Zardari - An endorsement - Why not?
Pakistan People’s Party has finally nominated its Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari for President. With the exception of the PML-N and the MQM we are unaware of the reaction of the other coalition partners on this. PML-N we know is not quite happy with the nomination. For some time already the party’s important leaders have been using quite radical language. That is not all. On the issue of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (for the NRO doesn’t cover the PML-N leaders) and the PPP’s tolerance for Musharraf the Nawaz League leaders were running quite a slander campaign. Had Asif Zardari not pulled out his ace and ousted Musharraf this campaign would have gone even worse.
I am not complaining, I am just reporting but for people like me who have always believed in the PPP’s commitment to democracy, it was getting quite nauseating to listen to listen the conspiracy theories and stand the jeering of the N League supporters who are in plenty in Punjab. While the PML-N and the lawyers’ movement may claim that they aided the PPP in removing Musharraf, the fact remains that the PPP actually did them a service by ousting him. Why? Because the PPP could have worked with the then President without much problem.
If it did face his criticism in the end it was owing to the party’s decision not to forge an alliance with Musharraf supporters. However owing to their peculiar histories the PML-N or the lawyers’ movement could not even imagine to work with the man. It was hence a sacrifice on the part of Zardari’s party to remove him for it necessary amounted to taking great risks. Despite that the campaign is being reactivated to undermine the PPP’s moral fiber. If anything this time it is bound to backfire. No matter how much you want to link the judges’ issue with Musharraf, it is clear that the general was the only bone of contention. With him gone things, will look sunnier for the lawyers’ movement will face a bit decline in support. I am not saying that the judges should not be restored and don’t get me wrong. All I am saying is that the PML-N is running out of more blackmailing points and hence may not find any effectual means to destabilize the PPP government.
The MQM has already made its stance clear. Actually it nominated Zardari even before the PPP itself for the job. The Karachi based group was quick to understand the change in political winds and wanted to stay in the good books of the new ruler. Even though Maulana Fazlur Rehman has not given his opinion on this it is clear that his attitude is no different from the MQM. As for the ANP and its leader Asfandyar Wali I have always considered them principled folks who would stand firm with their main ally the PPP.
Now what do I think of the nomination? I would not make bones that I didn’t expect things to go this way. I was anticipating someone less prominent. The reason is simple. I have always considered the Presidential system or its close immitation and inferior form of democracy. Article 58(2)(B) does something of the same to the constitution. Hence I would have wanted it to be a ceremonial post. I would have wanted to see Asif Zardari to be the Prime Minister, perhaps swapping the seat with Yousuf Raza Gilani. But just before the formal nomination when I had changed my mind. It all boils down to the fact whether you trust Asif Zardari or not. I know many of you don’t but as it happens I do trust him. He has delivered what he had promised and Musharraf is gone. I find no excuse to doubt his intentions of implementing the Charter of Democracy. And I am sure that the decision will help provide the country the much needed stability.
I think Maulana Fazlur Rahman is the smartest politician in Pakistan, light years ahead of Zardari, Sharif or Altaf or any others in Pak politics. I can see why he is holding his cards to his chest. I invite you to read more about Zardari at http://www.riazhaq.com/2008/08/zardari-corruption-probe-alive-in.html
Do I trust Zardari? With what exactly?
Keeping his word? Today the headlines quoted him as saying something to the effect that “Political accords do not amount to the Quran or Hadith”. I.e. political promises arent particulalry sacrosacnt. Which is fair enough, but hardly trust inspiring, esp coming from someone who has always suffered from a massive credibility problem.
Do i trust him to run the country efficiently? Id have to say No to that one too.
Do i trust hell be better than Nawaz? Absolutely, though I will say that as a Pakistani, I am tired of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Do I trust Zardari? I’d have to ask with what?
1. To stand by his word? Hardly. Today the headlines quoted him as saying that ‘Political accords are not Quran or Hadith’, i.e. that political promises are not sacrosanct. Which is fair enough, but not exactly what you want to hear from a man who has had consistant credibility problem his entire life.
2. To govern efficiently, effectively and with honesty? Nope. Hes not experienced enough to do it himself or sincere enough to hire the right people. Moreover I get the feeling hes far too paranoid to even focus on administration. But im hoping to be wrong on all counts.
3. To govern relatively more efficiently than Nawaz? Sure, but thats mainly attributable to Nawaz and the inverse relationship between his ego and his intelligence.
Haq, thanks for your assessment of Fazlur Rehman but I beg to differ. As for the pending cases against Zardari I have this to say that the presence of a case is by no means a proof of delinquency. That needs evidence. And unfortunately we make our minds based on hearsay rather than our own experience. We are given to what I call the Urban Legends. Someone told you that someone else’s brother saw Zardari accepting bribe. No first person witness accounts and certainly not your own accounts. If we accept these claims on face value it is because the establishment influenced media had made it impossible to like him. Just see his pictures of that time and you’ll notice a conscious malice even in photography.
And yes NB trusting him with running the country and deciding the country’s direction. I know you do not trust him too much but do I not have the right? I do not make assessments upon the preconceived notions especially the ones that were fed to us by a biased culture. I believe he can be a good President especially if he stays away from the sycophants. And with due respect we can tolerate dictators for decades but we do not have an iota of trust for the democratic parties. Why is it so? You talk of the credibility deficit? Tell me how much one man can steal? Let us work to strengthen democracy not weaken it.
you have got 2 bekidding me…dude i use to read ur articles with interest and always thought that u love pakistan and were neutral…so now we go back to square 1 again another “chor” for president aND u say he will do a good job…these guys are the reason y we have insurgency…..the only thing that will save pakistan if there is a revolution…ppl need to shut the country down and send all tese chors packing ..inckuding zardari and his buddy altaf…once a thief always a thief.
In June 2008, senior PPP leader and president of Pakistan’s Supreme Court Bar Association, Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan, who was interior minister in Benazir Bhutto’s first government, told James Traub of the New York Times that most of the corruption and criminal cases against PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari which were dropped recently in Pakistan were justified, and that the PPP was a feudal political party led by a figure (Zardari) accused of corruption and violence. After a moment’s reflection, Ahsan further added, “The type of expenses that she had and he has are not from sources of income that can be lawfully explained and accounted for.”
Swiss Judge DeVaud’s findings clearly established many instances of corruption by Bhutto and Zardari, but the accused finagled an NRO from Musharraf under US pressure, even before their appeal could be heard in Switzerland. Now it seems the cases will proceed in spite of the NRO.
For example: In 1997, after Zardari had been imprisoned on suspicion of corruption, Judge Devaud found that Bhutto herself had purchased a necklace worth 117,000 British pounds from a London jeweler—using cash and a bank transfer from the account of Bomer Finance, a British Virgin Islands company, which the magistrate said was jointly controlled by Bhutto and Zardari. (Her supporters claimed this allegation was based on trumped-up evidence supplied by her political enemies. Bhutto herself reportedly claimed her husband had bought the necklace but never told her about it).
Farrukh: I think you are either unaware of or deliberately do not want to know or accept the fact that Zardari is the most violent and extraordinarily corrupt figure in the history of Pakistani politics.
First of all Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan is a friend. He believes that this particular interview misquoted him. And if I have not forgotten Haq you have always been averse to him.
The rest as I have mentioned earlier is urban legend or political propaganda. The establishment and the media of Pakistan in many cases have been loath to the house of Bhuttos. If you believe in this trumped up evidence tell me why despite remaining in the prison for a decade he has not been indicted by any court? I tell you why because this all socalled evidence is spoof. As for the source of the wealth do you remember that the elder Bhutto was among the biggest landholders in Pakistan. What would you say if he had invested outside the country before being hanged? Benazir would not likely disclose that owing to the fear of vendetta. And my dear only some investment in that time could have become a humungous wealth by now. But no we won’t give such ideas a thought. All we do is readily digest the establishment’s propaganda perhaps because it is convenient to hate him and in fashion too. Yet I don’t intend to force my worldview on you. All I insist upon is my right to have an opinion. Tell me why have you not seen any international charges of corruption on any retired or serving general too? Have you read Ayesha Siddiqua Agha’s book? Despite that never? Because the establishments cover each other’s secrets and defame the politicians.
Is Zardari fit to become president? Has he miraculously recovered from his mental condition that he successfully used to avoid a British court ordered appearance on corruption charges? Please read: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1836468,00.html
Dear Mr Pitafi,
Are you really that naïve?