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| Pak crisis: 24 hrs for Zardari to act | | |
New Delhi, March 13: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari reportedly has now only 24 hours to accept the compromise formula prepared by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on ending the political deadlock. According to Pakistani media, the US-backed deal instructs Zardari to leave the post if he fails to give consent to the deal aimed at calming political chaos in Pakistan.
Formulated by Kayani and Gilani in consultation with powerful ‘foreign powers’, the political agreement spells out five conditions. The Pakistani media claimed that the deal has the support of Washington, London and the Army establishment.
As per the deal, Gilani has to waste no time in persuading Zardari to exhibit flexibility needed to end political impasse before March 16, when the 'Long March' is scheduled to reach Islamabad.
The deal reportedly warrants that in case Zardari does not accept the deal, then Pakistani Army as well as international actors will put into practice 'minus-one formula'. In fact, Zardari will be removed from the post as the President’s office will be totally marginalised. In that scenario, power will be given to PM’s office and Gilani will dominate the scene. And most importantly, former premier Nawaz Sharif's PML(N) will be in the cabinet and sacked Supreme Court chief Justice Iftikar Chaudhary will be reinstated.
In order to implement the deal, Gilani is shouldered with the responsibility of convincing Zardari to agree to the new political arrangement. Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, who is believed to be hindrance to good ties between PPP and PML(N), will have to be removed from his post. The Parliament will be required to put into action the new Constitutional package.
A number of meetings have been taking place since March 11 to hatch out this deal.
Political unrest has gripped Pakistan from the last few days. Last month, the Supreme Court had disqualified Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif from holding or contesting for public office.
Sharif has thrown his weight behind the lawyers, putting him into open confrontation with Zardari.
Infuriated by the Supreme Court ruling, Sharif has called the protest a defining moment for Pakistan.
The protesters hope to converge on Islamabad on Monday to demand the reinstatement of former Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. He was dismissed by former president and army chief Pervez Musharraf in 2007.
Zardari has refused to reinstate Chaudhry. Analysts say he fears the judge could nullify an amnesty Musharraf granted Zardari and his late wife Benazir Bhutto.
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