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Zardari fights back, plots counter-coup?
3/11/2009 4:45:45 PM
Pakistan media on Wednesday (March 11) is rife with reports of President Asif Ali Zardari planning a counter-coup against Pakistan Army Chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani. Reports claim Zardari plans to bring his choice of generals to the top of the Pakistan Army to strengthen his grip on power.
The development, according to sources, follows the Pakistan Army Chief asking President Zardari to resolve persistent political crisis within days. Insiders say quiet efforts have already begun to push Zardaris choice of generals to the top. The buzz in the Presidency is that Zardari is in a hurry and is already privately meeting some generals who will retire soon.
At least three uniformed officers have been seen visiting the Presidency at odd hours, like 3 AM. One of these three generals has been military secretaries to three previous Prime Ministers and this link is said to be the key. The Pakistan Army is the largest branch of the Pakistan military, and is mainly responsible for protection of the state borders, the security of administered territories and defending the national interests of Pakistan within the framework of its international obligations.
Meanwhile, reports suggest President Zardaris advisors have told him to consider repealing the 17th amendment and move to reinstate Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. By doing this, Zardari will call Sharif's bluff isolating him prior to the long march. Zardari could then take over as Prime Minister and at the same time the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would prevent the Chief Justice from actually taking over by ensuring the defeat of the bill in Parliament.
The ruling PPP and the Nawaz Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League are engaged in wrangling that could well see another intervention by the Army. Sharif on Wednesday dared the Zardari Government in a rally addressed in Abbottabad, saying that the latter has been responsible for all the on-going trouble in Pakistan.
He said, "The turnout shows our strength. Zardari is responsible for all the trouble for Pakistan. When Pakistans future looks dark, then how can I stay back at my house? He added, How can I stay back when the judicial system is not in place. The state apparatus is not working and the challenges on our borders are too many? We were very happy with Musharraf's exit, but nothing has changed since then. I had high hopes when I signed the CoD with Benazir Bhutto.
Nawaz said Zardari has again introduced the politics of horse-trading in the country. He lauded the efforts of Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Sardar Mehtab Khan and Pir Sabir Shah for the restoration of deposed judges and supremacy of constitution.
3/11/2009 4:45:45 PM
Pakistan media on Wednesday (March 11) is rife with reports of President Asif Ali Zardari planning a counter-coup against Pakistan Army Chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani. Reports claim Zardari plans to bring his choice of generals to the top of the Pakistan Army to strengthen his grip on power.
The development, according to sources, follows the Pakistan Army Chief asking President Zardari to resolve persistent political crisis within days. Insiders say quiet efforts have already begun to push Zardaris choice of generals to the top. The buzz in the Presidency is that Zardari is in a hurry and is already privately meeting some generals who will retire soon.
At least three uniformed officers have been seen visiting the Presidency at odd hours, like 3 AM. One of these three generals has been military secretaries to three previous Prime Ministers and this link is said to be the key. The Pakistan Army is the largest branch of the Pakistan military, and is mainly responsible for protection of the state borders, the security of administered territories and defending the national interests of Pakistan within the framework of its international obligations.
Meanwhile, reports suggest President Zardaris advisors have told him to consider repealing the 17th amendment and move to reinstate Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. By doing this, Zardari will call Sharif's bluff isolating him prior to the long march. Zardari could then take over as Prime Minister and at the same time the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would prevent the Chief Justice from actually taking over by ensuring the defeat of the bill in Parliament.
The ruling PPP and the Nawaz Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League are engaged in wrangling that could well see another intervention by the Army. Sharif on Wednesday dared the Zardari Government in a rally addressed in Abbottabad, saying that the latter has been responsible for all the on-going trouble in Pakistan.
He said, "The turnout shows our strength. Zardari is responsible for all the trouble for Pakistan. When Pakistans future looks dark, then how can I stay back at my house? He added, How can I stay back when the judicial system is not in place. The state apparatus is not working and the challenges on our borders are too many? We were very happy with Musharraf's exit, but nothing has changed since then. I had high hopes when I signed the CoD with Benazir Bhutto.
Nawaz said Zardari has again introduced the politics of horse-trading in the country. He lauded the efforts of Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Sardar Mehtab Khan and Pir Sabir Shah for the restoration of deposed judges and supremacy of constitution.
