The News
Monday, March 31, 2008
Karachi
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has finally decided to sit in opposition in the Centre as well as in Sindh.
This was stated by MQM MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi while talking to The News from Islamabad on Sunday.
He said: “We are part of the opposition at the federal level and will be part of opposition in Sindh as well.”
When asked as to what direction the dialogue between the MQM and the PPP was heading, he said no further headway has been made after some initial talks and every thing seems to be at standstill.
He said that there have been no serious efforts from the PPP to take the MQM on board vis-a-vis formation of the government.
It may be noted here that the MQM had extended unconditional support to the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in his election to the premier’s slot.
However, PPP’s coalition partners including the PML-N and the ANP have expressed reservations about the inclusion of MQM in the coalition government at the federal level.
When asked if Asif Ali Zardari’s arrival in Karachi on Monday could lead to the possibility of high level talks between the PPP and the MQM, Rizvi said: “We haven’t received any message from the quarters concerned in this regard.” —FM
Monday, March 31, 2008
Zardari is not apologetic
The New March 31 2008
By Shaheen Sehbai
ISLAMABAD: PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is a very busy man but he is also very lonely at the top. He misses competent, loyal friends and he is not at all apologetic about the recent key government appointments, which have drawn a lot of critical fire from the media and independent analysts.
A quiet session with him, mostly off the record and on critical issues facing his nascent administration, reveals he is in an agitated mindset because he thinks the PPP, and he himself, have taken responsibilities and challenges which are far too enormous than he had ever anticipated.
He defends his appointees, Salman Farooqi, Siraj Shamsuddin, Rehman Malik, Hussain Haqqani, Farooq Naek and some others yet to come, with animated arguments about their sacrifices, loyalties and steadfastness.
About a growing perception that some of his key appointees were pre-approved by the presidency, and there may be a tacit understanding somewhere that they may not deliver, like many hawks in the coalition may wish, Zardari gets aggressive.
Each one of them, he says, faced the wrath of the dictator for years, in exile or in Pakistan, suffered tremendously, stayed the course with Benazir Bhutto, himself and PPP and earned their prized spots after a people's verdict.
"Each appointee will be evaluated according to his performance and we have to take all the coalition partners together. Is is not possible to follow someone else's agenda," he argues When I point out that his own long time attorney who will hold the key position of law minister, has been on record several times that no judge could be restored without a two-third majority in the parliament, Asif says personal opinions of individuals may differ but a minister in the cabinet has to follow cabinet decisions. It seems to be a very fair and logical argument.
"We are not yet out of the spiral of conspiracies and the web of intrigues and in this situation we need trust worthy men in key places. How do we face the continuing onslaughts without our own men," he asks.
But when he is told that public perceptions are of immense importance in this age of a free and super paced media, when word travels round the world in seconds, he insists that the basic task of control over governance is more important than media perceptions.
"I may be wrong or may falter on some decisions but you have to give me the credit that so far most of the major and critical decisions have proved to be right and have produced an overwhelming surge of strength and support for the political parties vis a vis the establishment," he argues. "I cannot be right about everything every time," he admits.
The list of successful strategy and decisions Zardari has in mind is, in fact, long and impressive. It starts with his immediate return to Pakistan after Benazir's death, naming young Bilawal simultaneously as a Bhutto and as Chairman of PPP, keeping the presidential camp and the establishment sufficiently engaged and assured to take them through the critical phases of general elections, keeping the party structure intact without major faults and fractures and keeping the opposition parties engaged and focused on working together.
In specific terms he takes full credit of developing a direct personal relationship with Mian Nawaz Sharif, a relationship full of trust and understanding, bringing on board the other fringe parties like Maulana Fazlur Rehman's JUI or MQM in Sindh, his Bhurban Declaration to form a coalition, his choice of a popular and widely accepted Speaker of the National Assembly and finally his decision to pick Yousuf Raza Gilani as the prime minister.
"So after all these correct moves, if you think some appointments are not as good as they should have been, this is your view and I respect it," he says, adding: "I have to be mindful of a lot of other things while making these appointments."
As we discuss these issues, the news breaks that the house of Justice Ramday had been broken into in the Judges' Enclave and a police standoff is continuing.
"Look," he says, "these are the kinds of missiles we will get from the other side and they are not going to stop. We will have to deal with many such situations."
Likewise, he admits, that since the prime minister is new and is not even fully settled, there may be some initial acts of omission or commission. "But we will correct the course quickly as we go along and as mistakes are pointed out."
In this context he immediately agrees that the announcement made by the prime minister about Pemra laws and returning its control to the Information Ministry was not in his knowledge and may have been done by the new PM in consultation with other colleagues. "But it has been corrected and we do not want to impose any curbs on the media, as we have always promised."
He was also surprised by some of the announcements made by Prime Minister Gilani in his 100-day package but he defended the PM strongly, saying: "He is our prime minister and I do not dictate to him. He can do many things which I do not or may not know."
This particular reference was about the surprise Asfandyar Wali Khan and Maulana Fazlur Rehman had expressed about the sudden announcement by PM Gilani that the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) had been abolished in the tribal areas. Again, he asserted, the correction was quickly made by the prime minister.
But whatever these initial hiccups in the administration and corrections in the course, Asif Ali Zardari is very firm on one basic pillar of his coalition strength. He is not going to let any issue or any conspiracy break the vital bond of understanding and trust between himself and Mian Nawaz Sharif.
He would keep meeting the PML-N leader very frequently and sort out anything that crops up, either by malicious design or any misunderstanding created by any one. To further this bond he left on Sunday to offer prayers for late Mian Sharif, the phenomenal Abbaji at Raiwind, and to finalise the cabinet to be sworn in on Monday.
A strong impression is created when discussing these sensitive issues with Zardari that the strength and unity of the grand coalition in Parliament is directly related to their common target in the presidency. As long as the president is there and stays there, this coalition will not break up. So in a way Mr Pervez Musharraf is directly responsible for the historic displays of unity and cohesion among the political parties in the parliament.
But Zardari says even if Mr Musharraf goes away, he will keep this unity in tact as the problems facing the country are enormous and cannot be handled by any party alone. A national consensus is an essential requirement.
He also gives the impression that so far the strength of the coalition in the parliament is not enough to displace Mr Musharraf. On many issues, he believes, some of the parties may not vote as they did for the Speaker or for the prime minister. So when the numbers are not there on impeachment or replacement of the president, any talk would be premature.
But obtaining the required numbers is certainly one of the main targets in the mind of every member of the coalition and this may keep these partners in power together. The entire ballgame may change if the prime target is suddenly out of sight and out of mind. Then would begin the real test of the grand coalition and the PPP Co-Chairman realizes this fully.
By Shaheen Sehbai
ISLAMABAD: PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is a very busy man but he is also very lonely at the top. He misses competent, loyal friends and he is not at all apologetic about the recent key government appointments, which have drawn a lot of critical fire from the media and independent analysts.
A quiet session with him, mostly off the record and on critical issues facing his nascent administration, reveals he is in an agitated mindset because he thinks the PPP, and he himself, have taken responsibilities and challenges which are far too enormous than he had ever anticipated.
He defends his appointees, Salman Farooqi, Siraj Shamsuddin, Rehman Malik, Hussain Haqqani, Farooq Naek and some others yet to come, with animated arguments about their sacrifices, loyalties and steadfastness.
About a growing perception that some of his key appointees were pre-approved by the presidency, and there may be a tacit understanding somewhere that they may not deliver, like many hawks in the coalition may wish, Zardari gets aggressive.
Each one of them, he says, faced the wrath of the dictator for years, in exile or in Pakistan, suffered tremendously, stayed the course with Benazir Bhutto, himself and PPP and earned their prized spots after a people's verdict.
"Each appointee will be evaluated according to his performance and we have to take all the coalition partners together. Is is not possible to follow someone else's agenda," he argues When I point out that his own long time attorney who will hold the key position of law minister, has been on record several times that no judge could be restored without a two-third majority in the parliament, Asif says personal opinions of individuals may differ but a minister in the cabinet has to follow cabinet decisions. It seems to be a very fair and logical argument.
"We are not yet out of the spiral of conspiracies and the web of intrigues and in this situation we need trust worthy men in key places. How do we face the continuing onslaughts without our own men," he asks.
But when he is told that public perceptions are of immense importance in this age of a free and super paced media, when word travels round the world in seconds, he insists that the basic task of control over governance is more important than media perceptions.
"I may be wrong or may falter on some decisions but you have to give me the credit that so far most of the major and critical decisions have proved to be right and have produced an overwhelming surge of strength and support for the political parties vis a vis the establishment," he argues. "I cannot be right about everything every time," he admits.
The list of successful strategy and decisions Zardari has in mind is, in fact, long and impressive. It starts with his immediate return to Pakistan after Benazir's death, naming young Bilawal simultaneously as a Bhutto and as Chairman of PPP, keeping the presidential camp and the establishment sufficiently engaged and assured to take them through the critical phases of general elections, keeping the party structure intact without major faults and fractures and keeping the opposition parties engaged and focused on working together.
In specific terms he takes full credit of developing a direct personal relationship with Mian Nawaz Sharif, a relationship full of trust and understanding, bringing on board the other fringe parties like Maulana Fazlur Rehman's JUI or MQM in Sindh, his Bhurban Declaration to form a coalition, his choice of a popular and widely accepted Speaker of the National Assembly and finally his decision to pick Yousuf Raza Gilani as the prime minister.
"So after all these correct moves, if you think some appointments are not as good as they should have been, this is your view and I respect it," he says, adding: "I have to be mindful of a lot of other things while making these appointments."
As we discuss these issues, the news breaks that the house of Justice Ramday had been broken into in the Judges' Enclave and a police standoff is continuing.
"Look," he says, "these are the kinds of missiles we will get from the other side and they are not going to stop. We will have to deal with many such situations."
Likewise, he admits, that since the prime minister is new and is not even fully settled, there may be some initial acts of omission or commission. "But we will correct the course quickly as we go along and as mistakes are pointed out."
In this context he immediately agrees that the announcement made by the prime minister about Pemra laws and returning its control to the Information Ministry was not in his knowledge and may have been done by the new PM in consultation with other colleagues. "But it has been corrected and we do not want to impose any curbs on the media, as we have always promised."
He was also surprised by some of the announcements made by Prime Minister Gilani in his 100-day package but he defended the PM strongly, saying: "He is our prime minister and I do not dictate to him. He can do many things which I do not or may not know."
This particular reference was about the surprise Asfandyar Wali Khan and Maulana Fazlur Rehman had expressed about the sudden announcement by PM Gilani that the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) had been abolished in the tribal areas. Again, he asserted, the correction was quickly made by the prime minister.
But whatever these initial hiccups in the administration and corrections in the course, Asif Ali Zardari is very firm on one basic pillar of his coalition strength. He is not going to let any issue or any conspiracy break the vital bond of understanding and trust between himself and Mian Nawaz Sharif.
He would keep meeting the PML-N leader very frequently and sort out anything that crops up, either by malicious design or any misunderstanding created by any one. To further this bond he left on Sunday to offer prayers for late Mian Sharif, the phenomenal Abbaji at Raiwind, and to finalise the cabinet to be sworn in on Monday.
A strong impression is created when discussing these sensitive issues with Zardari that the strength and unity of the grand coalition in Parliament is directly related to their common target in the presidency. As long as the president is there and stays there, this coalition will not break up. So in a way Mr Pervez Musharraf is directly responsible for the historic displays of unity and cohesion among the political parties in the parliament.
But Zardari says even if Mr Musharraf goes away, he will keep this unity in tact as the problems facing the country are enormous and cannot be handled by any party alone. A national consensus is an essential requirement.
He also gives the impression that so far the strength of the coalition in the parliament is not enough to displace Mr Musharraf. On many issues, he believes, some of the parties may not vote as they did for the Speaker or for the prime minister. So when the numbers are not there on impeachment or replacement of the president, any talk would be premature.
But obtaining the required numbers is certainly one of the main targets in the mind of every member of the coalition and this may keep these partners in power together. The entire ballgame may change if the prime target is suddenly out of sight and out of mind. Then would begin the real test of the grand coalition and the PPP Co-Chairman realizes this fully.
MQM seeks complete provincial autonomy
Dawn March 30, 2008 Sunday Rabi-ul-Awwal 21, 1429
ISLAMABAD, March 29: Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar on Saturday called for a complete provincial autonomy to achieve the objective of streng-thening the federal democratic system in the country.
He urged the coalition government to pass the 18th amendment bill submitted by his party for the purpose.
“The provincial autonomy is necessary for socio-economic development of the country,” he said in his speech in the National Assembly.
“Provincial autonomy is indispensable for solidarity of the country,” he said, adding that the MQM would extend full support to the prime minister and his government for socio-economic development of the country.
More: Dawn
ISLAMABAD, March 29: Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar on Saturday called for a complete provincial autonomy to achieve the objective of streng-thening the federal democratic system in the country.
He urged the coalition government to pass the 18th amendment bill submitted by his party for the purpose.
“The provincial autonomy is necessary for socio-economic development of the country,” he said in his speech in the National Assembly.
“Provincial autonomy is indispensable for solidarity of the country,” he said, adding that the MQM would extend full support to the prime minister and his government for socio-economic development of the country.
More: Dawn
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Let the Party begin, Cleptocrats and Nepotist. Start your engine
PPP is confused as Nawaz honours friends and family
By Rauf Klasra
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has apparently distributed the key ministries given to his party in the Gilani cabinet among his "family and friends".
Read More:The News
By Rauf Klasra
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has apparently distributed the key ministries given to his party in the Gilani cabinet among his "family and friends".
Read More:The News
Bhutto's dark Clinton-era legacy
By Jack Cashill
The story begins in 1987, when Benazir Bhutto, the eldest daughter of a former Pakistani prime minister, married a polo-playing idler by the name of Asif Ali Zardari.
Read More:World Net Daily
The story begins in 1987, when Benazir Bhutto, the eldest daughter of a former Pakistani prime minister, married a polo-playing idler by the name of Asif Ali Zardari.
Read More:World Net Daily
U.S. pressure on Pakistan to attack militants may backfire
By Saeed Shah | McClatchy Newspapers
Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008
AP
Pakistanis burn a U.S. flag Tuesday to protest the visit of U.S. officials John Negroponte and Richard Boucher. | View larger image
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Top U.S. officials on Thursday publicly questioned the plans of Pakistan's newly elected civilian government to negotiate with militants in the country's border region with Afghanistan and instead urged the continued use of military force.
Concluding a visit that's been widely criticized for taking place before a new government was fully formed, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said that talking with many of the insurgents is unthinkable.
More:McClatchy Newspapers
Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008
AP
Pakistanis burn a U.S. flag Tuesday to protest the visit of U.S. officials John Negroponte and Richard Boucher. | View larger image
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Top U.S. officials on Thursday publicly questioned the plans of Pakistan's newly elected civilian government to negotiate with militants in the country's border region with Afghanistan and instead urged the continued use of military force.
Concluding a visit that's been widely criticized for taking place before a new government was fully formed, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said that talking with many of the insurgents is unthinkable.
More:McClatchy Newspapers
Thursday, March 27, 2008
THE REAL STORY OF 'CURVEBALL'
March 22, 2008
THE REAL STORY OF 'CURVEBALL'
How German Intelligence Helped Justify the US Invasion of Iraq
By Erich Follath, John Goetz, Marcel Rosenbach and Holger Stark
Five years ago, the US government presented what it said was proof that Iraq harbored biological weapons. The information came from a source developed by German intelligence -- and it turned out to be disastrously wrong. But to this day, Germany denies any responsibility.
More:Der Spiegal In English
. März 2008 webnews Yigg folkd Mister Wong Linkarena Del.icio.us Schrift:
IM VORFELD DES IRAK-KRIEGES
US-Offizielle werfen BND Versagen vor
Fünf Jahre nach dem US-Einmarsch im Irak entbrennt eine neue Debatte über das Versagen der Geheimdienste. Ehemalige US-Offizielle behaupten, der BND habe mit seinen Informationen über angebliche rollende Biowaffenlabore eine der zentralen Rechtfertigungen für den Waffengang geliefert.
Der Spiegal
THE REAL STORY OF 'CURVEBALL'
How German Intelligence Helped Justify the US Invasion of Iraq
By Erich Follath, John Goetz, Marcel Rosenbach and Holger Stark
Five years ago, the US government presented what it said was proof that Iraq harbored biological weapons. The information came from a source developed by German intelligence -- and it turned out to be disastrously wrong. But to this day, Germany denies any responsibility.
More:Der Spiegal In English
. März 2008 webnews Yigg folkd Mister Wong Linkarena Del.icio.us Schrift:
IM VORFELD DES IRAK-KRIEGES
US-Offizielle werfen BND Versagen vor
Fünf Jahre nach dem US-Einmarsch im Irak entbrennt eine neue Debatte über das Versagen der Geheimdienste. Ehemalige US-Offizielle behaupten, der BND habe mit seinen Informationen über angebliche rollende Biowaffenlabore eine der zentralen Rechtfertigungen für den Waffengang geliefert.
Der Spiegal
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Asif Ali Zardari
The New York Times Topics > People > Z > Zardari, Asif Ali
Asif Ali Zardari was described by his wife, Benazir Bhutto, as "the Mandela of Pakistan." But while she was prime minister Mr. Zardari earned another nickname: "Mr. 10 Percent," for his reputation of demanding kickbacks on government contracts.
The marriage in 1987 was an arranged one, in the Muslim tradition; her mother acted as marriage broker. Mr. Zardari came from a modest business family that owned a cinema.
Ms. Bhutto herself spoke soberly of what an arranged marriage entailed, saying that her five years under house arrest and, briefly, in prison under Gen. Mohammad Zia ul-Haq, had left her with little opportunity for courtship. But friends watched with fascination as her relationship with Mr. Zardari developed. Handsome, with a macho style that Ms. Bhutto told friends she thought at first was ridiculous, he became an important figure in her two governments, serving in her cabinet in her second term in a role that gave him a major role in approving foreign investment.
Pakistani investigators to accuse her and Mr. Zardari of embezzling as much $1.5 billion from government accounts.British and American private investigators working for the government of her political rival Nawaz Sharif, produced a thick volume of documents tracing what they said were multimillion-dollar kickbacks paid to the couple in return for the award of government contracts, and a web of bank accounts across the world that were used to hide the money. Ms. Bhutto and Mr. Zardari vehemently rejected the allegations, saying their accusers wanted to drive her from power.
While his wife went into exile, Mr. Zardari spent eight years in prison; his release by President Pervez Musharraf in 2004 was seen as an early sign in a possible alliance between Mr. Musharraf and Ms. Bhutto. When Ms. Bhutto returned to Pakistan in October 2007, Mr. Zardari came with her. After she was assassinated at a political rally, it was Mr. Zardari who accompanied her casket in a procession to the family burial site. — Dec. 28, 2007
Asif Ali Zardari was described by his wife, Benazir Bhutto, as "the Mandela of Pakistan." But while she was prime minister Mr. Zardari earned another nickname: "Mr. 10 Percent," for his reputation of demanding kickbacks on government contracts.
The marriage in 1987 was an arranged one, in the Muslim tradition; her mother acted as marriage broker. Mr. Zardari came from a modest business family that owned a cinema.
Ms. Bhutto herself spoke soberly of what an arranged marriage entailed, saying that her five years under house arrest and, briefly, in prison under Gen. Mohammad Zia ul-Haq, had left her with little opportunity for courtship. But friends watched with fascination as her relationship with Mr. Zardari developed. Handsome, with a macho style that Ms. Bhutto told friends she thought at first was ridiculous, he became an important figure in her two governments, serving in her cabinet in her second term in a role that gave him a major role in approving foreign investment.
Pakistani investigators to accuse her and Mr. Zardari of embezzling as much $1.5 billion from government accounts.British and American private investigators working for the government of her political rival Nawaz Sharif, produced a thick volume of documents tracing what they said were multimillion-dollar kickbacks paid to the couple in return for the award of government contracts, and a web of bank accounts across the world that were used to hide the money. Ms. Bhutto and Mr. Zardari vehemently rejected the allegations, saying their accusers wanted to drive her from power.
While his wife went into exile, Mr. Zardari spent eight years in prison; his release by President Pervez Musharraf in 2004 was seen as an early sign in a possible alliance between Mr. Musharraf and Ms. Bhutto. When Ms. Bhutto returned to Pakistan in October 2007, Mr. Zardari came with her. After she was assassinated at a political rally, it was Mr. Zardari who accompanied her casket in a procession to the family burial site. — Dec. 28, 2007
UNSC may consider request for probe: US
By Masood Haider
NEW YORK, March 25: Zalmay Khalilzad, US Ambassador to the United Nations, said on Monday that the world body can consider Pakistan’s request for a UN investigation into the December assassination of Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto.
Talking to journalists at the Pakistan Mission to the UN, Mr Khalilzad said it all depended on the 15-member Security Council after it received such a request.
Responding to questions about the US-led war on terror, Mr Khalilzad said that the war could be re-calibrated by the new government keeping the new ground realities in mind.
On Monday, new Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani had expressed intention to seek a UN investigation into the assassination of Ms Bhutto. He asked the new National Assembly to pass a resolution calling for a UN investigation.
Pakistan government’s own investigation and a probe by the Scotland Yard blamed the militants in the tribal areas for the murder of Ms Bhutto, but their conclusions failed to satisfy the PPP leadership which continued to demand UN-led investigations.
Dawn
Comment: I think Gilani should conduct UN Security council investigation on all other open/Closed corruption/nepotism etc cases/charges on all politcal and military persons, live or dead.
NEW YORK, March 25: Zalmay Khalilzad, US Ambassador to the United Nations, said on Monday that the world body can consider Pakistan’s request for a UN investigation into the December assassination of Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto.
Talking to journalists at the Pakistan Mission to the UN, Mr Khalilzad said it all depended on the 15-member Security Council after it received such a request.
Responding to questions about the US-led war on terror, Mr Khalilzad said that the war could be re-calibrated by the new government keeping the new ground realities in mind.
On Monday, new Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani had expressed intention to seek a UN investigation into the assassination of Ms Bhutto. He asked the new National Assembly to pass a resolution calling for a UN investigation.
Pakistan government’s own investigation and a probe by the Scotland Yard blamed the militants in the tribal areas for the murder of Ms Bhutto, but their conclusions failed to satisfy the PPP leadership which continued to demand UN-led investigations.
Dawn
Comment: I think Gilani should conduct UN Security council investigation on all other open/Closed corruption/nepotism etc cases/charges on all politcal and military persons, live or dead.
American duo’s surprise visit
Dr Naeem Chishti
The United States’ anxiety on Pakistan’s changed political scene can be witnessed from the fact that it has sent a high-powered team to Pakistan comprising of Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher. Negroponte and Boucher arrived on an unannounced visit to Pakistan on Monday.
The Frontier Post Peshawar Pakistan
The United States’ anxiety on Pakistan’s changed political scene can be witnessed from the fact that it has sent a high-powered team to Pakistan comprising of Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher. Negroponte and Boucher arrived on an unannounced visit to Pakistan on Monday.
The Frontier Post Peshawar Pakistan
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Workers stage violent protest in Sharjah
The Dawn BlogClose to 1500 workers torched offices and vehicles during a violent labour protest in Sharjah, the official Wakalat Anba’a al-Emarat(WAM) news agency said ...
Workers stage violent protest in Sharjah
Geo TV Should raise some serious voice and stage series protest against these unjust done, After all its Geo aur Jeene do. Otherwise it should be changed to Geo Maze se Dubai men, Baqi sab ko marne do.
Workers stage violent protest in Sharjah
Geo TV Should raise some serious voice and stage series protest against these unjust done, After all its Geo aur Jeene do. Otherwise it should be changed to Geo Maze se Dubai men, Baqi sab ko marne do.
The luck of the leprechaun
After this recent acquittal, only three cases remain pending against him. The remaining cases include the murder case of Murtaza Bhutto and seven others, Alam Baloch murder case of Hyderabad and the Special Federal Anti-Corruption Court case for smuggling artefact.......
luck of the leprechaun
luck of the leprechaun
Monday, March 24, 2008
PM’s Ist order: release judges
PM’s Ist order: release judges
* Gillani to seek UN probe into Benazir’s assassination
* Wants resolution seeking apology over ZAB’s political murder
Indeed Great Day for Pakistam.
What PM Gilani do beside restoring the Judiciary and UN investigation of Benezer Bhutto.
United Nations Investigation of alleged charges of corruption against Zulfiqar Bhutto, Benezer Bhutto, Asif Zardari, Sharif Brothers and other high ranking politicans including Gilani himself.
This is the only way to get a clean slate for every alleged charges of corruption and restore full faith in democracy and come clean.
In Urdu its called Doodh Ka Doodh, Pani ka Pani.
* Gillani to seek UN probe into Benazir’s assassination
* Wants resolution seeking apology over ZAB’s political murder
Indeed Great Day for Pakistam.
What PM Gilani do beside restoring the Judiciary and UN investigation of Benezer Bhutto.
United Nations Investigation of alleged charges of corruption against Zulfiqar Bhutto, Benezer Bhutto, Asif Zardari, Sharif Brothers and other high ranking politicans including Gilani himself.
This is the only way to get a clean slate for every alleged charges of corruption and restore full faith in democracy and come clean.
In Urdu its called Doodh Ka Doodh, Pani ka Pani.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Great move by Zardari, killed three bird with one sling shot
Great move by Zardari, killed three bird with one sling shot,
1. PM from Punjab, a Saraike man who will promote the Saraike Province cause, taking some air from Punjab
2, Took air off Amin Fahim.
3. Took air from Pir Pagara, his son is being married to the grand daughter of Pir Pagara.
It is generally assumed that Gilani will be PM until Zardari will orchestrate his election into the Pakistan National Assembly and hence takeover as the next PM. This presumable move by Zardari may bite him back. Remember Ayab Khan and Zulfiqar Bhutto, and ZAB appointing “Lota General Mard-e-Momin” Zia ul Haq who then was killed in an air crash.Benezer Bhutto was fired by her own man the then President Farooq Lagari. Zia’s protégé Sharif appointing “Bhaiyya General” in an army of Panjabis and Phaktoon’s.. What happened next, everybody knows the rest of the story.
Gilani wins the race for PM The News
1. PM from Punjab, a Saraike man who will promote the Saraike Province cause, taking some air from Punjab
2, Took air off Amin Fahim.
3. Took air from Pir Pagara, his son is being married to the grand daughter of Pir Pagara.
It is generally assumed that Gilani will be PM until Zardari will orchestrate his election into the Pakistan National Assembly and hence takeover as the next PM. This presumable move by Zardari may bite him back. Remember Ayab Khan and Zulfiqar Bhutto, and ZAB appointing “Lota General Mard-e-Momin” Zia ul Haq who then was killed in an air crash.Benezer Bhutto was fired by her own man the then President Farooq Lagari. Zia’s protégé Sharif appointing “Bhaiyya General” in an army of Panjabis and Phaktoon’s.. What happened next, everybody knows the rest of the story.
Gilani wins the race for PM The News
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Nepotism in Pakistan
The HIR
January 23, 2008
Nepotism in Pakistan
Filed under: National Politics, South Asia — Kiran Bhat @ 2:55 am
As an American of South Asian descent, dynastic politics at the highest levels of government is something I’ve grown quite accustomed to. As far as I can remember, a Bush or a Clinton has sat at the top of American politics. In India, the Nehru/Gandhi family has dominated, interrupted only a few times since independence. And even with its history of military leaders and democratic turmoil, the trend towards dynasty has emerged in Pakistan as well.
Under the pretense of stability, the late Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) quickly named the slain leader’s 19-year-old son Bilawal its new chairman. Bhutto had named her husband Asif Ali Zardari heir to the chairmanship in her will, a strange choice considering the time Zardari spent in jail on charges of corruption and blackmail (which, in fairness, he claimed were politically motivated). However, Zardari insisted on giving the official title to his son. This was an even stranger choice in that Zardari will continue to run the PPP’s day-to-day affairs and that Bilawal currently has no experience, no qualifications, and no intention of running the party before he graduates from Oxford.
All of this left the outside observer only one logical conclusion: Bilawal was appointed only to ensure the longevity of the Bhutto family’s hold on the PPP. Since the PPP is the only party to consistently mount opposition to Pervez Musharraf and realistically have a chance at beating him in a fair election, the Bhutto family’s hold on the PPP is by extension a hold on Pakistan’s democratic politics. Needless to say, Bilawal’s appointment smacked of severe nepotism.
That’s why it’s refreshing to see pieces such as this one, which features an interview with a politically-oriented Bhutto who, ironically enough, recognizes the harm that cronyism can do to the democratic character of a nation. Fatima Bhutto, Benazir’s 24-year-old niece, is currently an opinion columnist and critic of the Musharraf regime and is cutting her teeth in print and in efforts to enfranchise Paksitan’s masses before turning to politics. This Bhutto sounds like she wants to earn her way to a leadership role - and if that’s true, then who cares that she is part of a powerful political family? Fatima demonstrates that there is nothing wrong with dynastic politics per se if it means that earnest and competent individuals come to power. Pakistan can only hope that Zardari and Bilawal won’t demonstrate everything that is wrong with keeping things in the family.
January 23, 2008
Nepotism in Pakistan
Filed under: National Politics, South Asia — Kiran Bhat @ 2:55 am
As an American of South Asian descent, dynastic politics at the highest levels of government is something I’ve grown quite accustomed to. As far as I can remember, a Bush or a Clinton has sat at the top of American politics. In India, the Nehru/Gandhi family has dominated, interrupted only a few times since independence. And even with its history of military leaders and democratic turmoil, the trend towards dynasty has emerged in Pakistan as well.
Under the pretense of stability, the late Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) quickly named the slain leader’s 19-year-old son Bilawal its new chairman. Bhutto had named her husband Asif Ali Zardari heir to the chairmanship in her will, a strange choice considering the time Zardari spent in jail on charges of corruption and blackmail (which, in fairness, he claimed were politically motivated). However, Zardari insisted on giving the official title to his son. This was an even stranger choice in that Zardari will continue to run the PPP’s day-to-day affairs and that Bilawal currently has no experience, no qualifications, and no intention of running the party before he graduates from Oxford.
All of this left the outside observer only one logical conclusion: Bilawal was appointed only to ensure the longevity of the Bhutto family’s hold on the PPP. Since the PPP is the only party to consistently mount opposition to Pervez Musharraf and realistically have a chance at beating him in a fair election, the Bhutto family’s hold on the PPP is by extension a hold on Pakistan’s democratic politics. Needless to say, Bilawal’s appointment smacked of severe nepotism.
That’s why it’s refreshing to see pieces such as this one, which features an interview with a politically-oriented Bhutto who, ironically enough, recognizes the harm that cronyism can do to the democratic character of a nation. Fatima Bhutto, Benazir’s 24-year-old niece, is currently an opinion columnist and critic of the Musharraf regime and is cutting her teeth in print and in efforts to enfranchise Paksitan’s masses before turning to politics. This Bhutto sounds like she wants to earn her way to a leadership role - and if that’s true, then who cares that she is part of a powerful political family? Fatima demonstrates that there is nothing wrong with dynastic politics per se if it means that earnest and competent individuals come to power. Pakistan can only hope that Zardari and Bilawal won’t demonstrate everything that is wrong with keeping things in the family.
Bilawal, Fahim in cat and mouse game
Bilawal, Fahim in cat and mouse game
The News
By Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reached Islamabad Thursday evening to make final announcement of party candidate for the Prime Minister while Makhdoom Amin Fahim flew to Karachi.
As Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reached Islamabad, Makhdoom Amin Fahim flew to Karachi, which made it clear that meeting between Bilawal Bhutto and Makhdoom Amin Fahim was not expected. Sources indicated that the final announcement of the party candidate would be announced by Saturday or Sunday. Just after reaching Islamabad, he held meeting with top leadership of the party to finalize the candidate for Prime Minister.
Sources hinted that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would hold a formal meeting with the parliamentarians of the party today (Friday) to seek their point of view on the question of party candidature for the Prime Minister.
As there were four candidates still in the race including Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar but sources said that the real contestants of the race were Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and Makhdoom Amin Fahim.
Sources in the PPP led quadrangular alliance told The News that PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari also sought the suggestions from PML-N, ANP and JUI-F about the party nominee and most of them favoured Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani as a best choice.
However, hopes of Makhdoom Amin Fahim was being diminished with the election of Dr Fahmida Mirza, who also hails from Sindh. Besides this, Makhdoom Amin Fahim also gets a poor response from within the party. Meanwhile, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will accelerate the final round of discussions with the top leadership of the party to decide the final candidate.
The News
By Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reached Islamabad Thursday evening to make final announcement of party candidate for the Prime Minister while Makhdoom Amin Fahim flew to Karachi.
As Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reached Islamabad, Makhdoom Amin Fahim flew to Karachi, which made it clear that meeting between Bilawal Bhutto and Makhdoom Amin Fahim was not expected. Sources indicated that the final announcement of the party candidate would be announced by Saturday or Sunday. Just after reaching Islamabad, he held meeting with top leadership of the party to finalize the candidate for Prime Minister.
Sources hinted that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would hold a formal meeting with the parliamentarians of the party today (Friday) to seek their point of view on the question of party candidature for the Prime Minister.
As there were four candidates still in the race including Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar but sources said that the real contestants of the race were Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and Makhdoom Amin Fahim.
Sources in the PPP led quadrangular alliance told The News that PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari also sought the suggestions from PML-N, ANP and JUI-F about the party nominee and most of them favoured Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani as a best choice.
However, hopes of Makhdoom Amin Fahim was being diminished with the election of Dr Fahmida Mirza, who also hails from Sindh. Besides this, Makhdoom Amin Fahim also gets a poor response from within the party. Meanwhile, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will accelerate the final round of discussions with the top leadership of the party to decide the final candidate.
Bilawal to the rescue
Bilawal to the rescue sounds like Buzz Lighter to the Rescue from The Toy Story.
The news, Bilawal to the rescue
The news, Bilawal to the rescue
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Rally held to nominate Fahim as prime minister
Rally held to nominate Fahim as prime minister
The Post Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Our Correspondent
BADIN: The PPP Badin workers took out a rally on Tuesday to nominate PPP Central Vice President Makhdoom Amin Fahim as Prime Minister.
"Amin Fahim has sacrificed a lot for the party so he deserves more for the premier slot, besides it is also in accordance with the will of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, said the rally leaders Muhammad Jatt, Ali Murad Bachal and others while speaking to the rally participants.
Motorbike, mobile snatching on the rise: The incidents of snatching motorcycles and mobiles are growing in Badin city. The citizens are much worried over the situation as the theft of motorbikes is frequent while a large number of people are deprived of their mobiles daily.
While talking to the newsmen, the residents stated that police had failed to maintain law and order in the city. On the occasion, they demanded the high-ups to take notice of the situation and rid the citizens of this menace.
DPO transfers 3 cops on public complaints: At least three police officials have been transferred throughout the Badin district on public complaints.
According to police sources, Badin District Police Officer (DPO) Abdullah Shaikh has transferred Matli SHO Liaquat Jiskani and appointed him as SHO Tando Bago and Asghar Jatt has taken the charge of new SHO Matli.
Reportedly, Talhar SHO Nand Lal has been transferred to Gulab Legahri and has been replaced by Raj Kumar as new SHO Talhar while SHO Qasim Panhwar has been transferred to District Dadu.
Meanwhile, Matli police station head constable Shabbir Chandio has been suspended and asked to report at police line Badin.
People protest against LHV: A protest demo was staged by the residents of village Jafar Khoso near Pangrio against the Lady Health Visitor (LHV) of Rural Health Centre Pangrio.
The protestors, under the leadership of Meer Muhammad Khoso, Muharram Khoso and Abdul Sattar, alleged that the LHV treated the patients carelessly forcing them to visit her private clinic. On the occasion, the protestors demanded of the health authorities to transfer the LHV Pangrio and replace her with a more dutiful and efficient lady health visitor
The Post Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Our Correspondent
BADIN: The PPP Badin workers took out a rally on Tuesday to nominate PPP Central Vice President Makhdoom Amin Fahim as Prime Minister.
"Amin Fahim has sacrificed a lot for the party so he deserves more for the premier slot, besides it is also in accordance with the will of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, said the rally leaders Muhammad Jatt, Ali Murad Bachal and others while speaking to the rally participants.
Motorbike, mobile snatching on the rise: The incidents of snatching motorcycles and mobiles are growing in Badin city. The citizens are much worried over the situation as the theft of motorbikes is frequent while a large number of people are deprived of their mobiles daily.
While talking to the newsmen, the residents stated that police had failed to maintain law and order in the city. On the occasion, they demanded the high-ups to take notice of the situation and rid the citizens of this menace.
DPO transfers 3 cops on public complaints: At least three police officials have been transferred throughout the Badin district on public complaints.
According to police sources, Badin District Police Officer (DPO) Abdullah Shaikh has transferred Matli SHO Liaquat Jiskani and appointed him as SHO Tando Bago and Asghar Jatt has taken the charge of new SHO Matli.
Reportedly, Talhar SHO Nand Lal has been transferred to Gulab Legahri and has been replaced by Raj Kumar as new SHO Talhar while SHO Qasim Panhwar has been transferred to District Dadu.
Meanwhile, Matli police station head constable Shabbir Chandio has been suspended and asked to report at police line Badin.
People protest against LHV: A protest demo was staged by the residents of village Jafar Khoso near Pangrio against the Lady Health Visitor (LHV) of Rural Health Centre Pangrio.
The protestors, under the leadership of Meer Muhammad Khoso, Muharram Khoso and Abdul Sattar, alleged that the LHV treated the patients carelessly forcing them to visit her private clinic. On the occasion, the protestors demanded of the health authorities to transfer the LHV Pangrio and replace her with a more dutiful and efficient lady health visitor
Naveed Qamar refuses to nominate Makhdoom Amin
Naveed Qamar refuses to nominate Makhdoom Amin
The News
By By Rauf Klasra
3/19/2008
ISLAMABAD: Heartbroken and depressed Makhdoom Amin Fahim (MAF) was shocked when the man he had groomed in politics, Naveed Qamar, MNA, refused to sign his nomination papers for the slot of the prime minister.
When contacted by The News, Amin Fahim opened his heart before this correspondent as he was found reconciling with the unexpected betrayals at the hands of his old friend. In a very heartbreaking tone, he said, "Yes, this is true that Naveed Qamar has refused to sign my nomination papers for the election of the prime minister."
Fahim had met Naveed Qamar (NQ) to get his signature on the official papers, which he plans to submit in the NA Secretariat to contest the election to defy the nomination of Asif Zardari (AZ).
Now a totally transformed Naveed Qamar, dreaming to become the finance minister who, otherwise, has been winning the elections on the basis of political strength of MAF in his constituency, is said to have preferred Zardari over his old sponsor in the fast unfolding political dramas within the four walls of the Zardari House.
To further explain his inner feelings over the refusal of his most-trusted friend whom he always backed since 1988, Fahim quietly read out a widely-quoted couplet of the late poet Perveen Shakir: "Kaisay Keh Doon Keh Mujhay Chor Diya Hi Uss Nay, Baat Tu Sach Hai, Magar Baat Hai Ruswai Ki".
The most-unexpected refusal of NQ to sign his nomination papers is said to have reminded many sympathisers of Fahim in the ranks of the PPP that party stalwarts (Naveed) from Sindh had once again established the time- tested proverb that "there is no permanent friendships in politics except everlasting political interests".
This unlikely refusal of Qamar in whom Fahim had great faith because of his past personal relationship is said to have landed Amin Fahim in big political trouble as he is yet to find someone from the ranks of PPPP to sign his nomination papers, in case he decides to contest the election for the post of the prime minister to defy the nomination of Asif Zardari. This refusal of NQ has also revealed that MAF now stands isolated in the ranks of the PPP, after he refused to accept the decision of AZ to nominate someone else as the prime minister.
The only consolation MAF can have in these days of political betrayal is the public declaration of PPP Senator Enver Baig that what come may, he would not leave his 37-year-old friend Amin Fahim in these testing times. The rest of PPP leaders remain silent or indifferent to his ordeal, as they all seem to have adopted the policy of wait and see.
Like a pure pragmatic politician, a shrewd Naveed Qamar is believed to have simply preferred political considerations over his old friendship with Fahim. These days, Qamar, who spent a considerable time in jail on account of serious charges of corruption by the NAB, is now desperately trying to capture the top slot of the finance minister. This single consideration alone is believed to have led him to betray his patron and benefactor from Hala.
Though, Ishaq Dar is also being considered for this job keeping his expertise and abilities in view, Qamar was still hopeful of capturing the slot by his own manipulation within the ranks of the party.
Top-level sources said if so far Fahim had asked anyone to sign his nomination papers within the ranks of the PPP, it was Naveed Qamar as Fahim had been playing a major role in his election victory because of the presence of his spiritual followers in Sindh.
Earlier, a confident Fahim went to bewildered Naveed Qamar to sign his nomination papers for his election for PM. As a puzzled Qamar tried to justify his refusal, a visibly-shocked Fahim told him in a changed tone to reply him in "yes or no". After reading a big NO on the face of Naveed, a hurt Fahim simply walked away to hide his own emotions.
This correspondent made calls to Naveed Qamar but he did not attend. This correspondent also sent him a text message but he did not reply.
Meanwhile, Fahim revealed that Syed Qamar Zaman Shah, the father of Naveed Qamar, was his friend. He brought Naveed to him in 1988 or 1990 after he returned from the US after completing his studies in computer related subjects, etc. Qamar Zaman requested Fahim to arrange some job for his young son within the PPP. Fahim took a young Naveed to Benazir Bhutto, who at the personal request of Amin Fahim, gave him assigned him under Naseer Shah, a retired ambassador, who was then collecting applications from candidates. Later, Amin Fahim arranged his full induction into the party and enabled him to contest the election from the area where he had big number of spiritual followers. Fahim said he had always been backing Naveed Qamar in all these elections that he had won.
"If I don't support Naveed in his constituency, he may not win the election," Fahim said and added, "I was the one who had actually got him inducted into the party, but today he simply refused to sign my papers. This is something that hurts but a fact, too," Amin Fahim said. "It’s better if you don't ask me any more things on this subject," MAF asked this correspondent in a disheartening voice.
MAF also read out one more couplet: "Go Zara See Baat Pay Barsoon Kay Yaaranay Gaye, Laikin Itna Tu Hoa Kuch Log Pehchaney Gaye".
The News
By By Rauf Klasra
3/19/2008
ISLAMABAD: Heartbroken and depressed Makhdoom Amin Fahim (MAF) was shocked when the man he had groomed in politics, Naveed Qamar, MNA, refused to sign his nomination papers for the slot of the prime minister.
When contacted by The News, Amin Fahim opened his heart before this correspondent as he was found reconciling with the unexpected betrayals at the hands of his old friend. In a very heartbreaking tone, he said, "Yes, this is true that Naveed Qamar has refused to sign my nomination papers for the election of the prime minister."
Fahim had met Naveed Qamar (NQ) to get his signature on the official papers, which he plans to submit in the NA Secretariat to contest the election to defy the nomination of Asif Zardari (AZ).
Now a totally transformed Naveed Qamar, dreaming to become the finance minister who, otherwise, has been winning the elections on the basis of political strength of MAF in his constituency, is said to have preferred Zardari over his old sponsor in the fast unfolding political dramas within the four walls of the Zardari House.
To further explain his inner feelings over the refusal of his most-trusted friend whom he always backed since 1988, Fahim quietly read out a widely-quoted couplet of the late poet Perveen Shakir: "Kaisay Keh Doon Keh Mujhay Chor Diya Hi Uss Nay, Baat Tu Sach Hai, Magar Baat Hai Ruswai Ki".
The most-unexpected refusal of NQ to sign his nomination papers is said to have reminded many sympathisers of Fahim in the ranks of the PPP that party stalwarts (Naveed) from Sindh had once again established the time- tested proverb that "there is no permanent friendships in politics except everlasting political interests".
This unlikely refusal of Qamar in whom Fahim had great faith because of his past personal relationship is said to have landed Amin Fahim in big political trouble as he is yet to find someone from the ranks of PPPP to sign his nomination papers, in case he decides to contest the election for the post of the prime minister to defy the nomination of Asif Zardari. This refusal of NQ has also revealed that MAF now stands isolated in the ranks of the PPP, after he refused to accept the decision of AZ to nominate someone else as the prime minister.
The only consolation MAF can have in these days of political betrayal is the public declaration of PPP Senator Enver Baig that what come may, he would not leave his 37-year-old friend Amin Fahim in these testing times. The rest of PPP leaders remain silent or indifferent to his ordeal, as they all seem to have adopted the policy of wait and see.
Like a pure pragmatic politician, a shrewd Naveed Qamar is believed to have simply preferred political considerations over his old friendship with Fahim. These days, Qamar, who spent a considerable time in jail on account of serious charges of corruption by the NAB, is now desperately trying to capture the top slot of the finance minister. This single consideration alone is believed to have led him to betray his patron and benefactor from Hala.
Though, Ishaq Dar is also being considered for this job keeping his expertise and abilities in view, Qamar was still hopeful of capturing the slot by his own manipulation within the ranks of the party.
Top-level sources said if so far Fahim had asked anyone to sign his nomination papers within the ranks of the PPP, it was Naveed Qamar as Fahim had been playing a major role in his election victory because of the presence of his spiritual followers in Sindh.
Earlier, a confident Fahim went to bewildered Naveed Qamar to sign his nomination papers for his election for PM. As a puzzled Qamar tried to justify his refusal, a visibly-shocked Fahim told him in a changed tone to reply him in "yes or no". After reading a big NO on the face of Naveed, a hurt Fahim simply walked away to hide his own emotions.
This correspondent made calls to Naveed Qamar but he did not attend. This correspondent also sent him a text message but he did not reply.
Meanwhile, Fahim revealed that Syed Qamar Zaman Shah, the father of Naveed Qamar, was his friend. He brought Naveed to him in 1988 or 1990 after he returned from the US after completing his studies in computer related subjects, etc. Qamar Zaman requested Fahim to arrange some job for his young son within the PPP. Fahim took a young Naveed to Benazir Bhutto, who at the personal request of Amin Fahim, gave him assigned him under Naseer Shah, a retired ambassador, who was then collecting applications from candidates. Later, Amin Fahim arranged his full induction into the party and enabled him to contest the election from the area where he had big number of spiritual followers. Fahim said he had always been backing Naveed Qamar in all these elections that he had won.
"If I don't support Naveed in his constituency, he may not win the election," Fahim said and added, "I was the one who had actually got him inducted into the party, but today he simply refused to sign my papers. This is something that hurts but a fact, too," Amin Fahim said. "It’s better if you don't ask me any more things on this subject," MAF asked this correspondent in a disheartening voice.
MAF also read out one more couplet: "Go Zara See Baat Pay Barsoon Kay Yaaranay Gaye, Laikin Itna Tu Hoa Kuch Log Pehchaney Gaye".
Its all in the friends of the family, We keep it simple stupid.
PPP nominates Fahmida Mirza for NA Speakership
'Pakistan Times' Parliamentary Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) has decided to nominate Dr Fahmida Mirza as candidate for slot of Speaker of the National Assembly while Faisal Kareem Kundi would be candidate for deputy speakership, party sources said Monday.
“Our Parliamentary party has endorsed co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s decision to nominate Fahmida Mirza as candidate for the speakership,” sources said.
Dr Fahmida comes from a political family of Sindh.
She is wife of Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, who is a close aide of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. She had won February 18 general polls from coastal district of Badin after defeating Bibi Yamin Shah.
The PPP sources said that Dr Fahmida’s nomination would be announced by party co-chairman himself.
Meanwhile, when contacted Fahmida Mirza declined to give comment on her nomination. She said her nomination for Speakership of the National Assembly has not been finalized but the ultimate decision is expected within 24 hours.
“Well, there are three to five candidates in run for speakership and my name is also on the list,” Fahmida Mirza said.
She said PPP has summoned important meeting at Zardari House on Monday evening to discuss nominations for slot of the speaker and other key positions.
“There is no confusion over nomination for candidate of the slot of the Prime Minister and rumours of rift are baseless,” she said, adding, “all the party members would endorse decisions of the party co-chairman.”
Meanwhile, central leader of PPP Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah disclosed that PPP MNA Faisal Karim Kundi would be candidate of the coalition partners for the slot of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
“MNA Faisal Karim Kundi would be our joint candidate for the slot of Deputy Speaker while the name of candidate for the slot of Speaker would be announced by Monday evening,” said Khurshid Shah while talking to the media outside the chamber of Mian Raza Rabbani, the Opposition Leader in the Senate.
When asked who would be the nominee for the top slot, Shah said the announcement would be made by March 20.
“The future Prime Minister would be announced by March 20. There are four to five candidates for the top slot and the final decision would be taken after consulting the coalition partners,” he said.
When asked did the delay in finalizing the name of future premier suggests any difference within coalition partners, Khurshid Shah said the consultation indicated that the coalition partners were adopting a democratic path.
“When you have three to four coalition partners, you have to consult each party for taking a final decision. The consultation does not mean that the coalition is facing internal rifts,” he concluded.
Young Kundi, who has been elected to the Lower House for the first time, defeated MMA Secretary General Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman in the election held on Feb 18 from NA-24, D.I.Khan.●
'Pakistan Times' Parliamentary Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) has decided to nominate Dr Fahmida Mirza as candidate for slot of Speaker of the National Assembly while Faisal Kareem Kundi would be candidate for deputy speakership, party sources said Monday.
“Our Parliamentary party has endorsed co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s decision to nominate Fahmida Mirza as candidate for the speakership,” sources said.
Dr Fahmida comes from a political family of Sindh.
She is wife of Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, who is a close aide of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. She had won February 18 general polls from coastal district of Badin after defeating Bibi Yamin Shah.
The PPP sources said that Dr Fahmida’s nomination would be announced by party co-chairman himself.
Meanwhile, when contacted Fahmida Mirza declined to give comment on her nomination. She said her nomination for Speakership of the National Assembly has not been finalized but the ultimate decision is expected within 24 hours.
“Well, there are three to five candidates in run for speakership and my name is also on the list,” Fahmida Mirza said.
She said PPP has summoned important meeting at Zardari House on Monday evening to discuss nominations for slot of the speaker and other key positions.
“There is no confusion over nomination for candidate of the slot of the Prime Minister and rumours of rift are baseless,” she said, adding, “all the party members would endorse decisions of the party co-chairman.”
Meanwhile, central leader of PPP Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah disclosed that PPP MNA Faisal Karim Kundi would be candidate of the coalition partners for the slot of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
“MNA Faisal Karim Kundi would be our joint candidate for the slot of Deputy Speaker while the name of candidate for the slot of Speaker would be announced by Monday evening,” said Khurshid Shah while talking to the media outside the chamber of Mian Raza Rabbani, the Opposition Leader in the Senate.
When asked who would be the nominee for the top slot, Shah said the announcement would be made by March 20.
“The future Prime Minister would be announced by March 20. There are four to five candidates for the top slot and the final decision would be taken after consulting the coalition partners,” he said.
When asked did the delay in finalizing the name of future premier suggests any difference within coalition partners, Khurshid Shah said the consultation indicated that the coalition partners were adopting a democratic path.
“When you have three to four coalition partners, you have to consult each party for taking a final decision. The consultation does not mean that the coalition is facing internal rifts,” he concluded.
Young Kundi, who has been elected to the Lower House for the first time, defeated MMA Secretary General Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman in the election held on Feb 18 from NA-24, D.I.Khan.●
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Zardari, Its all in the family, We keep it simple stupid.
Zardari may name sister as interim PM
16 Mar 2008, 0001 hrs IST,ANI
The Times of India
LAHORE: Amid tussle within the Pakistan People's Party over who should be nominated for the post of prime minister, close aides to party's de facto chairman Asif Ali Zardari have reportedly said that he was thinking of nominating his sister Azra Fazal Pechooho as the interim premier.
Quoting the close aides, a BBC report said that as Zardari is not a member of the National Assembly, he could not become premier himself.
In such a situation, he might nominate his sister as a temporary prime minister, said the Daily Times while quoting the BBC report.
Meanwhile, according to another report published in the News, veteran PPP leader Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, who has so far put himself away from media glare, might emerge as the dark horse and get Zardari's nod for the top post.
"PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has told Gillani that he will be the final choice on the conclusion of his ongoing consultations with the MNAs-elect in groups," the party quoted sources in the PPP and the PML-N as saying. A prominent PML-N leader, privy to the consultations with the PPP, also said that Gillani, a former National Assembly speaker, was going to ultimately win the nomination by Zardari.
Echoing same sentiments, a PPP leader said that Gillani had been asked to stay low in the current hullabaloo so that he did not embroil himself in controversies unnecessarily.
16 Mar 2008, 0001 hrs IST,ANI
The Times of India
LAHORE: Amid tussle within the Pakistan People's Party over who should be nominated for the post of prime minister, close aides to party's de facto chairman Asif Ali Zardari have reportedly said that he was thinking of nominating his sister Azra Fazal Pechooho as the interim premier.
Quoting the close aides, a BBC report said that as Zardari is not a member of the National Assembly, he could not become premier himself.
In such a situation, he might nominate his sister as a temporary prime minister, said the Daily Times while quoting the BBC report.
Meanwhile, according to another report published in the News, veteran PPP leader Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, who has so far put himself away from media glare, might emerge as the dark horse and get Zardari's nod for the top post.
"PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has told Gillani that he will be the final choice on the conclusion of his ongoing consultations with the MNAs-elect in groups," the party quoted sources in the PPP and the PML-N as saying. A prominent PML-N leader, privy to the consultations with the PPP, also said that Gillani, a former National Assembly speaker, was going to ultimately win the nomination by Zardari.
Echoing same sentiments, a PPP leader said that Gillani had been asked to stay low in the current hullabaloo so that he did not embroil himself in controversies unnecessarily.
Rift in PPP as Zardari eyes PM's post
Rift in PPP as Zardari eyes PM's post
11 Mar 2008, 0001 hrs IST,TIMES NEWS NETWORK & AGENCIES
The Times of India
ISLAMABAD: Even before a coalition government could be cobbled together in Pakistan, the country's biggest political party, the PPP, seems to be developing cracks over who should be the new prime minister. On Monday, amid rumours that he was planning a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf, the party's leading contender for the post, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, alleged that the PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, was planning to install himself as prime minister within three months.
Just one day after the Zardari-led PPP and Nawaz Sharif's PML(N) announced that they were joining hands to form a coalition government on Sunday, the rift in the PPP came out in the open with Fahim hinting that the widower of Benazir Bhutto was eyeing the prime minister's post. Fahim, who was not present at the Zardari-Sharif joint press conference at Murree on Sunday, said that the party co-chairman was planning to appoint someone from Punjab as PM for three months until he enters parliament and takes over power.
According to a report in the News on Monday, Zardari shared his "little secret" with MPs from Hyderabad (Sindh) on the eve of the crucial meeting with Sharif in Murree. However, Fahim, 68, who led the PPP for seven years while Benazir was in exile, rejected news report that he was pulling out of the race. Confirming that he was still a "candidate for the PM's slot", the MP from Sindh hinted that the behind-the-scene political developments in the party were intensifying by the day.
It's basically because of this squabbling for the top post within the PPP that Pakistan is still without a new government even three weeks after the national elections in which the PPP emerged as the single largest party with 88 seats in the National Assembly. But, as the PPP parliamentary group has not elected a leader formally, Musharraf has not invited the party to form the next government. Soon after the election results on February 19, political experts were certain that Fahim would be the next PM as both Zardari and Sharif are at present ineligible for the post.
In fact, shortly after Bhutto's assassination in December last year, Zardari had declared that Fahim would be the party's prime ministerial candidate. However, he changed his mind soon after and talked about a PM from Punjab and senior PPP leaders Yousaf Raza Gillani, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar were tipped to be in the race.
According to PPP sources, Zardari has decided to become the candidate for the PM's post, after quietly pitching the top four leaders against each other. One more reason Zardari might opt for a leader from Punjab, according to a source, is to neutralise the dramatic rise of the PPP leader and supreme court bar association president Aitzaz Ahsan on the national scene. Ahsan, who has openly endorsed Fahim for the top job, is himself seen and backed by many for the post, though he has denied that he is in the running.
Ahsan may not be interested in power, but many other leaders are busy in hectic lobbying and deals to be part of the new government. "The PPP has been out of power for 13 years. Now they are itching to get back to power and everyone wants a plum post," says a Lahore-based PPP leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity. With Fahim getting impatient with Zardari, the already tense situation is likely to take a more dramatic turn.
11 Mar 2008, 0001 hrs IST,TIMES NEWS NETWORK & AGENCIES
The Times of India
ISLAMABAD: Even before a coalition government could be cobbled together in Pakistan, the country's biggest political party, the PPP, seems to be developing cracks over who should be the new prime minister. On Monday, amid rumours that he was planning a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf, the party's leading contender for the post, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, alleged that the PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, was planning to install himself as prime minister within three months.
Just one day after the Zardari-led PPP and Nawaz Sharif's PML(N) announced that they were joining hands to form a coalition government on Sunday, the rift in the PPP came out in the open with Fahim hinting that the widower of Benazir Bhutto was eyeing the prime minister's post. Fahim, who was not present at the Zardari-Sharif joint press conference at Murree on Sunday, said that the party co-chairman was planning to appoint someone from Punjab as PM for three months until he enters parliament and takes over power.
According to a report in the News on Monday, Zardari shared his "little secret" with MPs from Hyderabad (Sindh) on the eve of the crucial meeting with Sharif in Murree. However, Fahim, 68, who led the PPP for seven years while Benazir was in exile, rejected news report that he was pulling out of the race. Confirming that he was still a "candidate for the PM's slot", the MP from Sindh hinted that the behind-the-scene political developments in the party were intensifying by the day.
It's basically because of this squabbling for the top post within the PPP that Pakistan is still without a new government even three weeks after the national elections in which the PPP emerged as the single largest party with 88 seats in the National Assembly. But, as the PPP parliamentary group has not elected a leader formally, Musharraf has not invited the party to form the next government. Soon after the election results on February 19, political experts were certain that Fahim would be the next PM as both Zardari and Sharif are at present ineligible for the post.
In fact, shortly after Bhutto's assassination in December last year, Zardari had declared that Fahim would be the party's prime ministerial candidate. However, he changed his mind soon after and talked about a PM from Punjab and senior PPP leaders Yousaf Raza Gillani, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar were tipped to be in the race.
According to PPP sources, Zardari has decided to become the candidate for the PM's post, after quietly pitching the top four leaders against each other. One more reason Zardari might opt for a leader from Punjab, according to a source, is to neutralise the dramatic rise of the PPP leader and supreme court bar association president Aitzaz Ahsan on the national scene. Ahsan, who has openly endorsed Fahim for the top job, is himself seen and backed by many for the post, though he has denied that he is in the running.
Ahsan may not be interested in power, but many other leaders are busy in hectic lobbying and deals to be part of the new government. "The PPP has been out of power for 13 years. Now they are itching to get back to power and everyone wants a plum post," says a Lahore-based PPP leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity. With Fahim getting impatient with Zardari, the already tense situation is likely to take a more dramatic turn.
Amin Fahim resigns from PS-44
Amin Fahim resigns from PS-44
Sunday, March 16, 2008 GEO TV
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s party (PPP) Vice-Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim has sent his resignation from his seat PS-44 to party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday.
According to Geo News, Amin Fahim will keep his seat NA-218.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim further said it is nothing but a rumour that he is no more running for the premiership, adding he is still the candidate for the top position of the country.
‘I am not attempting any division in the party,’ he added.
Sunday, March 16, 2008 GEO TV
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s party (PPP) Vice-Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim has sent his resignation from his seat PS-44 to party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday.
According to Geo News, Amin Fahim will keep his seat NA-218.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim further said it is nothing but a rumour that he is no more running for the premiership, adding he is still the candidate for the top position of the country.
‘I am not attempting any division in the party,’ he added.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Zardari is no more Mr 10 Percent
Zardari is no more Mr 10 Percent
etala’at
Zardari is no more Mr 10 Percent
Islamabad, March 14
A court Friday quashed the last outstanding graft charge in Pakistan against the husband of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, a lawyer said.
The move could ease tensions between U.S.-backed President Pervez Musharraf and Bhutto's party, which is now led by her widower, Asif Ali Zardari, and won last month's parliamentary elections.
An anti-corruption court acquitted Zardari in the so-called "BMW case" relating to the import of a German limousine.
The court had already dismissed six other graft cases against Zardari under an order passed by Musharraf last year that was supposed to foster political reconciliation.
"After a struggle of 11 years, the state has failed to prove any case against Mr. Zardari," said his attorney, Farooq Naek.
"After a long darkness in the tunnel, the light has come," he told reporters outside the anti-corruption court in Rawalpindi, a city that neighbors the capital, Islamabad.
Zardari took control of Bhutto's party after she was killed in December, making him a key political figure
as Pakistan moves toward democracy after years of military rule.
But Zardari's return to politics is eyed with suspicion by some Pakistanis who see him as a symbol of corruption and misrule that nearly bankrupted Pakistan in the 1990s.
He became known among Pakistanis by the nickname "Mr. Ten Percent" on suspicion he pocketed kickbacks when his wife was in office. He spent years in jail without being convicted and insists the charges were politically motivated.
Now Zardari's Pakistan People's Party is poised to form a coalition government with the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, under whose administration Zardari was jailed.
The PPP won the most seats in Feb. 18 parliamentary elections, routing Musharraf's supporters and triggering calls for the president to step down. Sharif's party came in second.
Parliament is due to convene Monday.
The previously dismissed charges against Zardari included illegal payments relating to the construction of a polo ground inside the prime minister's residence and to the purchase of thousands of Polish tractors.
A money-laundering case is still pending against him in Switzerland Agencies
etala’at
Zardari is no more Mr 10 Percent
Islamabad, March 14
A court Friday quashed the last outstanding graft charge in Pakistan against the husband of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, a lawyer said.
The move could ease tensions between U.S.-backed President Pervez Musharraf and Bhutto's party, which is now led by her widower, Asif Ali Zardari, and won last month's parliamentary elections.
An anti-corruption court acquitted Zardari in the so-called "BMW case" relating to the import of a German limousine.
The court had already dismissed six other graft cases against Zardari under an order passed by Musharraf last year that was supposed to foster political reconciliation.
"After a struggle of 11 years, the state has failed to prove any case against Mr. Zardari," said his attorney, Farooq Naek.
"After a long darkness in the tunnel, the light has come," he told reporters outside the anti-corruption court in Rawalpindi, a city that neighbors the capital, Islamabad.
Zardari took control of Bhutto's party after she was killed in December, making him a key political figure
as Pakistan moves toward democracy after years of military rule.
But Zardari's return to politics is eyed with suspicion by some Pakistanis who see him as a symbol of corruption and misrule that nearly bankrupted Pakistan in the 1990s.
He became known among Pakistanis by the nickname "Mr. Ten Percent" on suspicion he pocketed kickbacks when his wife was in office. He spent years in jail without being convicted and insists the charges were politically motivated.
Now Zardari's Pakistan People's Party is poised to form a coalition government with the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, under whose administration Zardari was jailed.
The PPP won the most seats in Feb. 18 parliamentary elections, routing Musharraf's supporters and triggering calls for the president to step down. Sharif's party came in second.
Parliament is due to convene Monday.
The previously dismissed charges against Zardari included illegal payments relating to the construction of a polo ground inside the prime minister's residence and to the purchase of thousands of Polish tractors.
A money-laundering case is still pending against him in Switzerland Agencies
Asfandyar Wali regrets to meet Fahim
Asfandyar Wali regrets to meet Fahim
Friday, March 14, 2008
ISLAMABAD: Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali has regretted to meet PPP Senior Vice President Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the sources said.
Asfandyar Wali has regretted to meet Makhdoom Amin Fahim today (Friday) due very busy schedule, said the spokesman of ANP Zahid Khan said.
The meeting was part of consultation process for the formation of the new government in the centre and provinces.
Friday, March 14, 2008
ISLAMABAD: Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali has regretted to meet PPP Senior Vice President Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the sources said.
Asfandyar Wali has regretted to meet Makhdoom Amin Fahim today (Friday) due very busy schedule, said the spokesman of ANP Zahid Khan said.
The meeting was part of consultation process for the formation of the new government in the centre and provinces.
Political chessboard has still been laid: Amin Fahim
Political chessboard has still been laid: Amin Fahim
Friday, March 14, 2008 Geo TV
ISLAMABAD: PPP Senior Vice President Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said that the political chessboard has still been laid.
He stated this while giving joint briefing to media along with Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazal-u-Rehman after meeting between the two leaders.
Fahim termed said that the meeting was not a political but a personal one. The meeting was said as part of consultation process for the formation of the new government in the centre and provinces.
Referring to meeting with Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali, Fahim said it was not a fixed meeting.
Friday, March 14, 2008 Geo TV
ISLAMABAD: PPP Senior Vice President Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said that the political chessboard has still been laid.
He stated this while giving joint briefing to media along with Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazal-u-Rehman after meeting between the two leaders.
Fahim termed said that the meeting was not a political but a personal one. The meeting was said as part of consultation process for the formation of the new government in the centre and provinces.
Referring to meeting with Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali, Fahim said it was not a fixed meeting.
Pakistan Peoples Party at the crossroads?
Pakistan Peoples Party at the crossroads?
BY DR MOEED PIRZADA
Khaleej Times Online 9 February 2008
THE internal power schisms of ‘Pakistan People Party’ are finally coming to the fore. This gives credence to the dark prophecies of all those pundits who had predicted, immediately after Benazir’s assassination, that Pakistan’s most popular political formation will find it difficult to survive as ‘one’ beyond the immediate needs of the coming elections.
The rot may have been brewing for a while. The natural thought, “what will I get?” must have dominated many minds from the moment they descended upon Naudero and Gari Khuda Baksh to bury the last of the ‘real Bhuttos’. But in recent days the first shot was fired by PPP Senator Dr Babar Awan who issued a statement that no one but the party co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, was the right person to be nominated as PPP candidate for prime ministerial slot after the elections.
The good senator was obviously testing the waters for Zardari. It then transpired, from newspapers, that party’s top most leadership has rebuked Awan for giving such a statement in violation of the party’s considered position that such a decision will be taken after the elections. Many wondered: “who is this top leadership?” Fortunately the confusion did not last long.
PPP senior vice chairman, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, emerged on the scene terming Senator Awan’s statements his personal opinions and clarified that only party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) has the authority to decide upon the matter -- and that too after the elections. Perhaps to add authority to his voice he claimed that he and Asif Ali Zardari were in complete cohesion over the issue.
Makhdoom of Hala might have regretted his words. For soon afterwards Zardari, while talking to the US publication Newsweek, made it clear that he is seriously considering himself for the prime ministerial slot, for he has the “widest name recognition in the party” and “no senior leader apart from him spent eleven years in jail”. Under his directions a copy of the will of Benazir Bhutto was made public to prove, once again, that she had nominated him, and no one else but him, as the acting chairman of the party.
This is now the third time that PPP under Zardari changed its position on the subject: First on 30th December, three days after Ms. Bhutto’s assassination, Zardari had clearly indicated that Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who always lead PPP, in Benazir’s absence, would be the party’s candidate for the prime ministerial slot. A few days later this position was reversed announcing that CEC will decide this after the elections. This in itself was an indication of the growing fault lines.
However, now with Senator Awan’s premonitions, Zardari’s interview in Newsweek followed with the dramatic release of the Bhutto’s ‘political will’ it is abundantly clear that Benazir’s widower is making his moves towards the top slot-albeit cautiously, inch by inch, to make it more palatable. Even in the Newsweek interview he said that he might or might not be the prime ministerial candidate. And since then he has again tried distancing his person from the idea- he has planted himself.
Since Benazir’s assassination, Zardari has not only benefited from a natural wave of sympathy inside Sindh but several of his actions have generated a national goodwill and expanded his political space: his voice of reason and restraint at a time of great commotion in Sindh; his ability to defend the federation; his better command on the use and nuance of Urdu language and his indicating that Makhdoom Amin will be the party’s nominee for the prime ministerial slot all contributed to that.
Yet his, all too visible, desire to become the prime ministerial candidate is something he should better stay away from, in the best interests of his party, country and his family. And there are certain good reasons for that.
Zardari may not be that villainous character many in the media and the government agencies paint him into. Some of those who have interacted with him on an intimate level vouch that he is as normal or unprincipled as any other in Pakistan’s power structure. Yet someone, like him, rooted in reality might be painfully aware of the negative baggage, rightly or wrongly, he carries in Pakistan’s collective consciousness. The attempts of his lawyers and lobbyists to either defend him on the grounds that nothing has been proved or by drawing parallels with the misdeeds of other politicians, bureaucrats and generals will fail to make any significant dent in the overall collective perception, at least not in the short run.
Whatever he may do, in immediate future he will continue to be a divisive figure, especially outside Sindh. And both People’s Party and Pakistan, at this hour, need a less polarised, and a uniting figure.
Also, there is a limit to which this “will business” can be pushed; and for two reasons: One, even if it is 100 per cent original many will continue to doubt it for the simple reason that Benazir Bhutto had meticulously kept her husband out of immediate political arena in her last few months and her sudden change of heart on 16th October 2007, making her beloved husband the net beneficiary of her legacy – though analytically correct -- continues to look far more dramatic than most people can digest.
But even if all this is ignored, this “will business” has serious limitations in the long run. Pakistan People Party may not be a party in the western sense of it, but it deserves to be at least comparable to a better managed Private Limited Company.
This “will business” belongs to private assets and properties and even there exist examples of private concerns where managers or long time associates end up inheriting the mantle of leadership over incompetent off springs. And PPP, in all fairness, is endowed with a range of competent persons.
Despite this, we must admit that today Asif Ali Zardari has been given a role by history; he is someone who can provide internal unity to PPP; by keeping it together he can help it to emerge as the most powerful political force in the aftermath of the elections; can wield tremendous influence for himself, his son and for people of Sindh and may end up developing a new profile for himself in his own role rather than the borrowed sheen of his slain wife.
But all of it will have a chance of possibility if he demonstrates the maturity of putting his good will and organisational abilities behind a ‘consensus candidate’; in other words: if he decides to become Sonia Gandhi of Pakistan.
Dr Moeed Pirzada, a broadcaster and political analyst, with GEO TV Network, has been a Britannia Chevening Scholar at London School of Economics and Political Science. Email: mp846@columbia.edu
BY DR MOEED PIRZADA
Khaleej Times Online 9 February 2008
THE internal power schisms of ‘Pakistan People Party’ are finally coming to the fore. This gives credence to the dark prophecies of all those pundits who had predicted, immediately after Benazir’s assassination, that Pakistan’s most popular political formation will find it difficult to survive as ‘one’ beyond the immediate needs of the coming elections.
The rot may have been brewing for a while. The natural thought, “what will I get?” must have dominated many minds from the moment they descended upon Naudero and Gari Khuda Baksh to bury the last of the ‘real Bhuttos’. But in recent days the first shot was fired by PPP Senator Dr Babar Awan who issued a statement that no one but the party co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, was the right person to be nominated as PPP candidate for prime ministerial slot after the elections.
The good senator was obviously testing the waters for Zardari. It then transpired, from newspapers, that party’s top most leadership has rebuked Awan for giving such a statement in violation of the party’s considered position that such a decision will be taken after the elections. Many wondered: “who is this top leadership?” Fortunately the confusion did not last long.
PPP senior vice chairman, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, emerged on the scene terming Senator Awan’s statements his personal opinions and clarified that only party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) has the authority to decide upon the matter -- and that too after the elections. Perhaps to add authority to his voice he claimed that he and Asif Ali Zardari were in complete cohesion over the issue.
Makhdoom of Hala might have regretted his words. For soon afterwards Zardari, while talking to the US publication Newsweek, made it clear that he is seriously considering himself for the prime ministerial slot, for he has the “widest name recognition in the party” and “no senior leader apart from him spent eleven years in jail”. Under his directions a copy of the will of Benazir Bhutto was made public to prove, once again, that she had nominated him, and no one else but him, as the acting chairman of the party.
This is now the third time that PPP under Zardari changed its position on the subject: First on 30th December, three days after Ms. Bhutto’s assassination, Zardari had clearly indicated that Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who always lead PPP, in Benazir’s absence, would be the party’s candidate for the prime ministerial slot. A few days later this position was reversed announcing that CEC will decide this after the elections. This in itself was an indication of the growing fault lines.
However, now with Senator Awan’s premonitions, Zardari’s interview in Newsweek followed with the dramatic release of the Bhutto’s ‘political will’ it is abundantly clear that Benazir’s widower is making his moves towards the top slot-albeit cautiously, inch by inch, to make it more palatable. Even in the Newsweek interview he said that he might or might not be the prime ministerial candidate. And since then he has again tried distancing his person from the idea- he has planted himself.
Since Benazir’s assassination, Zardari has not only benefited from a natural wave of sympathy inside Sindh but several of his actions have generated a national goodwill and expanded his political space: his voice of reason and restraint at a time of great commotion in Sindh; his ability to defend the federation; his better command on the use and nuance of Urdu language and his indicating that Makhdoom Amin will be the party’s nominee for the prime ministerial slot all contributed to that.
Yet his, all too visible, desire to become the prime ministerial candidate is something he should better stay away from, in the best interests of his party, country and his family. And there are certain good reasons for that.
Zardari may not be that villainous character many in the media and the government agencies paint him into. Some of those who have interacted with him on an intimate level vouch that he is as normal or unprincipled as any other in Pakistan’s power structure. Yet someone, like him, rooted in reality might be painfully aware of the negative baggage, rightly or wrongly, he carries in Pakistan’s collective consciousness. The attempts of his lawyers and lobbyists to either defend him on the grounds that nothing has been proved or by drawing parallels with the misdeeds of other politicians, bureaucrats and generals will fail to make any significant dent in the overall collective perception, at least not in the short run.
Whatever he may do, in immediate future he will continue to be a divisive figure, especially outside Sindh. And both People’s Party and Pakistan, at this hour, need a less polarised, and a uniting figure.
Also, there is a limit to which this “will business” can be pushed; and for two reasons: One, even if it is 100 per cent original many will continue to doubt it for the simple reason that Benazir Bhutto had meticulously kept her husband out of immediate political arena in her last few months and her sudden change of heart on 16th October 2007, making her beloved husband the net beneficiary of her legacy – though analytically correct -- continues to look far more dramatic than most people can digest.
But even if all this is ignored, this “will business” has serious limitations in the long run. Pakistan People Party may not be a party in the western sense of it, but it deserves to be at least comparable to a better managed Private Limited Company.
This “will business” belongs to private assets and properties and even there exist examples of private concerns where managers or long time associates end up inheriting the mantle of leadership over incompetent off springs. And PPP, in all fairness, is endowed with a range of competent persons.
Despite this, we must admit that today Asif Ali Zardari has been given a role by history; he is someone who can provide internal unity to PPP; by keeping it together he can help it to emerge as the most powerful political force in the aftermath of the elections; can wield tremendous influence for himself, his son and for people of Sindh and may end up developing a new profile for himself in his own role rather than the borrowed sheen of his slain wife.
But all of it will have a chance of possibility if he demonstrates the maturity of putting his good will and organisational abilities behind a ‘consensus candidate’; in other words: if he decides to become Sonia Gandhi of Pakistan.
Dr Moeed Pirzada, a broadcaster and political analyst, with GEO TV Network, has been a Britannia Chevening Scholar at London School of Economics and Political Science. Email: mp846@columbia.edu
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
