"..so their tacit support for the drone strikes is not being forced upon them by the military, if that is what you were suggesting."
My understanding is that both (Zardari and the PA) are equal partners in the tacit support for the drone strikes. However, you seldom hear any criticism of PA regarding this.
Again, the constitutional leaders of Pakistan are the President and Prime Minister, not the COAS or ACM.
Gen. Kiyani has made a very strong effort to reduce the involvement of the Army in governing the country, and has largely been successful in projecting that perception, with good reason.
It just isn't the military's decision, unless they want a standoff with the civilian leadership, and most Pakistanis and media commentators interpret it that way.
Also, what would Nawaz Sharif's position be regarding this (does he have a choice?)? I'm sure right now he'll be making political capital, but if he comes to power, the 'drone policy' will remain intact.
The policy will probably remain intact under NS - he illustrated the contrast between his nationalistic rhetoric and deeds in his meeting with Bill Clinton over kargil. If he really was adamant about the airstrikes, he would have to compromise on his rhetoric of 'halting operations in FATA'. He can't get away with both.
If he is adamantly opposed to the airstrikes and sticks to his guns, and more amenable to keeping the military operations going, he may use the latter as a means of halting the former - neither side would want an escalation and falling out over them I feel.
The airstrikes get a few targets now and then, but the overwhlming objective is to restore the writ of the Pakistani state in FATA to deny the targets space to begin with, and to that extent the Pak Mil operations are essential, while PREDATOR is not. Push comes to shove, a showdown with Nawaz, if he insists, will likely result in a halt in PREDATOR and continuity in operations.
Hopefully this will not be an issue four years from now (if the government lasts) and may be a reason why NS is not too keen on upsetting the current power setup, since it would place upon his plate the very same mess Zardari is trying to deal with, and NS's stated positions are extremely problematic were he to take charge of the government - make an enemy of the US, or lose face in front of the electorate bu not implementing his promises of halting airstrikes and operations.
He may be hoping that in 3 to 4 years the situation will have stabilized enough for him to implement some of what he has promised.
I am also surprised that top govt. officials make statements after every drone strike. Isn't this likely to keep the drone strikes in the spotlight? They are just highlighting their own impotence (esp. as there seems to be no end to these strikes).
The attacks are widely reported in the press, and get far more coverage than the subsequent condemnations. For the GoP to not condemn would be to turn the tacit endorsement into an overt one. The Pakistani media would have a field day with it.
I don't see the condemnations having the impact you suggest.
