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Army wants Zardari out but not a coup: Military sources
Military sources say coup would be unpopular, not just with government and opposition but most Pakistanis too.
Military sources say coup would be unpopular, not just with government and opposition but most Pakistanis too. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s powerful army is fed up with President Asif Ali Zardari and wants him out of office, but through legal means and without a repeat of the coups that are a hallmark of the country’s 64 years of independence, military sources said.
Tensions are rising between Pakistan’s civilian leaders and its generals over a memo that accused the army of plotting a coup after the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May.
“Who isn’t fed up with Zardari? It’s not just the opposition and the man on the street but people within the government too,” said one military source who asked not to be named.
“But there has to be a proper way. No action is being planned by the army. Even if we tried, it would be very unpopular and not just with the government and the opposition but most Pakistanis too.”
The Pakistani military spokesman declined comment.
General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has pledged to keep the military out of Pakistani politics since taking over as army chief in 2007.
Any coup – Pakistan has had three since independence in 1947 – could further tarnish the military’s public image which has already taken a battering after the Bin Laden operation, widely seen in Pakistan as a violation of sovereignty.
But the army remains the arbiter of power and analysts say it has plenty of ways to pressure Zardari to step down, especially if a link is established between him and the memo, which sought the Pentagon’s help in averting a feared coup.
Businessman Mansoor Ijaz, writing in a column in the Financial Times on October 10, said a senior Pakistani diplomat had asked that a memo be delivered to the Pentagon with a plea for US help to stave off a military coup in the days after the raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in May.
Ijaz later identified the diplomat as Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington Husain Haqqani who denied involvement but resigned over the controversy. No evidence has emerged that the military was plotting a coup and the Pentagon at the time dismissed the memo as not credible.
Friction between Pakistan’s civilian government and military have bedevilled the nuclear-armed South Asian country for almost its entire existence, with the military ruling for more than half its 64-year history after a series of coups.
In the past, the army has asked Pakistani civilian leaders to resign and influenced judicial proceedings against them.
Haqqani’s resignation was seen by many analysts as further weakening the civilian government, which is already beset by allegations of corruption and incompetence in the face of many challenges, including a weak economy and a Taliban insurgency.
Memogate
Zardari returned to Pakistan this week from medical treatment in Dubai that raised speculation he would resign under pressure from the military over what has been dubbed “Memogate”.
Although his position is largely ceremonial, he wields considerable influence as leader of the ruling party and his forced departure would be a humiliation for the civilian leadership and could throw the country into turmoil.
One of the military sources suggested that no direct action would be needed against the government because it had already made so many mistakes.
“If the government is digging its own grave, we are not going to look for spades,” the source said.
The military has reasserted itself after a November 26 Nato cross-border air attack killed 24 Pakistani soldiers and the memo has also given it political ammunition.
In a statement submitted to the Supreme Court, which is looking into a petition demanding an inquiry into who may have been behind the memo, Kayani said it was a serious matter which required an investigation.
“We want anyone involved, be they in government or elsewhere, to be punished. But it is not for us to do anything. If the army moves to do anything it would have national as well as international repercussions,” said another military source.
“So that is not likely. Anything that has to be done has to be done by the Supreme Court.”
Officials from Zardari’s ruling party have played down friction with the military and say they don’t fear a coup.
But they fear that some judges in the increasingly aggressive Supreme Court dislike Zardari and could move against him.
“I am not bothered about the army. I think they are acting very sensibly and would not derail the system at the moment,” a senior ruling party leader told Reuters.
“The worry probably would be what the Supreme Court does. They look in a mood to manipulate things.”
The government’s anxiety over Memogate was highlighted in comments made by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday.
“Let me make clear to you today that there are intrigues, conspiracies afoot to pack up the elected government,” he said in a speech at the National Art Gallery.
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Reader Comments (80)
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For the sake of democracy to be flourish in the country, we need a better leadership who can implement true spirit of democracy not only for themselves but for rest of the masses, who truely represent Pakistan
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Good News…and sensible play by Army
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Oh please for God’s sake, dont make him a political martyr. We want the door shut on Zardari. And this will not happen if he is not allowed to complete the term. After all the four years of extreme hardship, its only one more year that we have to bear him.Recommend
Since the Supreme Court is an ultimate protector of the Costitution of Pakistan, being a Pakistani, I expect that they will not take any extra-constitutional step. If Mr. Zardari can be taken out of office constitutionally, then this would rather be a happy day for most Pakistanis but it has got to be CONSTITUTIONAL otherwise we will have to bear him until either he resigns himself or his office time runs out. This is the only right way to go about it.
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Dear Generals
Please dont repeat the same mistake again. Let this government, which no doubt happens to be the most corrupt, incompetent and unlawful in the history of Pakistan complete its tenure so that they may never act like ‘Siyasi Shaheed’ again.The last thing the Pakistanis would want to see is Zardari being remembered as Bhutto .
A concerned citizen.Recommend
Not just the army… 180 million Pakistanis are fed up too. Hope justice will prevail soon.
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Let this change come through ballots and masses and not through the high-handness of army generals..Recommend
We need democracy for the betterment of Pakistan. All institutions should support to Government for the prosperity of country.
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Pakistan Army has earned bad name because of few Generals. This time we hope and pray that the generals do not malign the army. Pressing Zardari to resign though is not a good step. However, in the given situation this bitter pill must be taken to save the country from the unprecedented looting… otherwise it will be too lateRecommend
why only removing a president, who face generals do not like, is equal to national security?
if we all keep supporting army in hate of zardari today and NS tomorrow and may be some day IK …it not going to help pakistan.
BTW, one can list 100000000 mistakes which army made over 64 years. did any ARMY Chief got removed for his mistakes…
why always politicians have to face humiliations caused by actions taken by ARMY.
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It will be good for PPP to save their face for ruling of nation by giving nation only corruptions and corruptions.. Some one Good man should be sit in President House..
It is Good news for Nation..Recommend
Finally, cat is out. They should do whatever it takes to save democracy even if Mr President has to go since other option ( Total Marshal Law) is too is a disaster.
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We want Zardari out, but through legal democratic process. Not through Army. Point.
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The sooner its done, the better for Pakistan.
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@Spaniard:
You call it sensible ?
WHY o WHY do you want to make PPP a Political martyr yet again? WHY do you want them to get sympathy from the people? this Is NOT in the interest of this country. Army should sit back its not their job.
We will NEVER learn NEVER!Recommend
Seriously he needs to go.
The country is hurting,the people are suffering,the institutions have become dysfunctional,the economy is in a big mess.
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@Faisal You “can implement true spirit of democracy” by just accepting a legally and validly elected President. Boy, this is true spirit of democracy…who is ARMY to decide whether President should stay or not. Be rational for God sake. BTW I am not Zardari Chaila or PPP JialaRecommend
The battle between military and civilian has come in open now with cards opened by the latter. Its military vs Zardari to start with and rest of the picture will be clearer in the next few months.
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Army should be brought under civilan supremacy.
No one should be allowed to remove president except parliament.
Otherwise it would be a disaster no one would be able to controle.Recommend
@ Ali Tipu
There wont be any country left at the end of the tenure, the way things are going…
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As much as I hate to agree with our generals, I believe Pakistan cannot suffer another year and a half of Zardari in the Presidency. If Zardari is quietly packed off , perhaps the government can get on with the business of governing. Before long, it would be elections and a new, more popular government — one headed by IK insha’Allah — could come in and begin and start doing something about the myriad problems confronting this unfortunate country.Recommend
@PP: Only politicians have to face humiliation because they are the ones elected by us. They are the ones deciding our fate whether we’ll have jobs or not. Whether we’ll have electricity, gas or any other utility. I’ll support Army if they have Zardari out. Inshallah!Recommend
I think minus-one is the least worst option in the present circumstances. Let’s face it, Zardari’s exit would be no loss to Pakistan. And if he is removed constitutionally while leaving the PPP government in tact, democracy would be preserved and the rest of the country can get on with their lives.
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Only the Army is sincere in wanting Zardari removed constitutionally. I am sure an overwhelming majority of Pakistanis would welcome Zardari’s ouster so long as the system is preserved…and we can elect a new government in a few months’ time.
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Keyword is “CONSTITUTIONAL” removal. So long as the army doesn’t step in directly, I would be glad to see it.Recommend
Let us hold elections and that would be the best way out of this mess… The govt. has already completed 4 years and we have all seen its performance… Also changes should be made in constitution and elections should be held every 4 years and not 5 years…
Let the people of Pakistan decide through votes. Let’s say NO to Military coup.Recommend
To save further deterioration of situation Zardari should stop playing his dubious games. He should come clean with the facts. Cooperate with the Supreme Court and let the issue be resolved.
If Zardari has any love for Pakistan he must try to get the issues resolved quickly.
The army has shown great restraint in not going for a coup. Let everybody sit together and work out a compromise.
Save Pakistan is the need of the hour.
Think of a peaceful, peace loving and Prosperous Pakista.
People need it and deserve it.
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@amjad cheema:
Civilian supremacy?
There is nothing supreme about the current civilian set up other than the unbelievable shamelessness they have displayed both in being corrupt and incompetent.
It beggars belief that we should be expected to allow these to continue at the helm of affairs.Recommend
@Ali Tipu:
Ali you have driven the nail aright. Excellent advice.
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PPP will not be looser, I think. They will emerge as victor through sympathy vote. They will pledge their case before people and I am sure, any illegitimate action against current PPP govt will be a winning stroke for them. But on whole any illegitimate action will bring no good to country but more instability, crisis and chaos. Wish sanity prevail and we all unite to uphold rule of law, democracy and social justice.And all institutions should work with their prescribed boundary.
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@Zohaib:
thats the problem with us.
we love only half truth.
and you said what i mentioned already.
if you donot like zardari then in next elections donot vote for him, simple way to remove some one from govt. in normal countries.
r we live in africa? if not then why we need help of army to remove a govt which we think is not good.
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@Bilal:
Couldn’t agree more. We need fresh leadership.
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@Bilal:
Right on, brother. That’s why I would like to appeal to every Karachiite to be at the Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday. Pakistan Zindabad
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should be done asap
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Military isn’t suppose to get a vote in a Democratic country — that’s reserved for the people. In in other Democratic countries military personnel are expected to be politically neutral and expressing a political opinion can be grounds for dismissal.
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President Asif Zardari, Sada Kush Rahoo, Abaad Rahoo.
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Short of a fresh election, i dont see how just getting Zardari out of his post will help. The government will still be in place in a parliamentary democracy. Now that the president’s constitutional role is extremely limited, it would be interesting to see what happens if he quits, calls for fresh elections and wins the election as the leader of the PPP to become the prime ministerRecommend
News is from Reuters, not ISPR.
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@Zohaib:
We criticize the politicians because we elected them YES but we did not elect the army so army has nothing to do with politics and has no right to oust the president and that’s it. We have to bear him and then make a better choice in the next election.
Those who are saying that president be removed through constitutional means should know that there IS no constitutional means the only one which is impeachment cannot be carried out because there is no majority.Recommend
Here we go again. There is no country in the world that is a paragon of virtue. The present Government has its faults but it must be addressed through constitutional means. If out of frustration we encourage the military to instigate regime change, ultimately we the Pakistanis will the losers. Remember our past experience with military rules. Let’s strengthen a free democratic government.Recommend
Like it or not. Zardari is the real strength of the current civilian government, though he is also one of its main weakness. It is a very difficult choice for Pakistan now. If Zardari is removed the rest of the government shall crumble like a house of cards but at the same time Zardari is also not like by many. Very, Very, Very tough choice for Pakistan.
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I am from India and basing on my experience with elections in India allow me to share a few thoughts. First Zardari cannot be removed by Supreme Court. SC can at most make comments. Zardari can be removed by the Parliament only. Second even if he is removed then too PPP will have the largest number of seats simply because it has an organisation. If Zardari is removed mischievously then his son will contest and PPP will get sympathy vote. What appears in the newspapers and what happens on the street is quite different eg 2004 all papers predicted BJP will be reelected but Congress formed the govt. 2009 prediction was 160 seats to Congress but it ended with 205. Even now there is a Anna Hazare wave in the TV channels and newspapers but Congress has won in Chandigarh and Maharashtra. If Zardari is out then his son will be the next President of Pakistan.
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@C. Nandkishore:
Sensible post.
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what is wrong if the govt is removed constitutionally……either the opposition parties impeach AAZ or just shut up…..hence we are all responsible for the mess……
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@Bilal:
If wishes were horses.
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Who cares democracy. We need Pakistan. The worst disease in our country is the name democracy. Systems are developed for the development and benefit of the country. Countries are not sacrificed for systems, while the system in Pakistan is not even a system, it is a sham!!!!
We need a stronger Pakistan. No one who is not capable to rule, who is not a loyal and capable Pakistani has any right to even look for votes. The Supreme court should ban all such politicians who lie, cheat, do not pay taxes, involved in corruption, have links with foreign countries which they use against Pakistan. I wonder if anyone in the parliament will be left save few!
We need loyal true Pakistani muslim technocrats should take the power and put the country back on track!Recommend
What! Its’ not the people of Pakistan but Pakistani army to decide who they want in the president house. After all, we like it or not, Zardari is the duly elected head of the state. He came to this position though due process as prescribed in the constitution of the country. The best is to let him complete his term and elect someone more suitable for the job when the time comes. Besides, if need be, constitution does have provisions for removing him from office. Instead of forcing him out of office we should let the law take its course. Pakistan does have a powerful supreme court where Zaradari can be taken care of for a multitude of issues including NRO.Recommend
It is not only the wish of a Military but Pakistani People like me as well Pakistan Zindabad
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For the sake of respect towards democracy and the nation . . .it is better to leave. Leave with respect before this window of opportunity closes! Too much suffering, chaos and loss of dignity has drowned the nation into a black hole and would need a strong and smart leadership to put it back on track. The new and fresh leadership will have a big challenge waiting!!
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They should go in a legal constitutional way otherwise they will play the ‘martyr card’ and the army will be the ‘bad guy’, a label that seems to be sticking.
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@PP (Punjabi Pakistani):
Its simple my brother. When army rules the country all the vital signs of economy improve and life is much easier for a common man, a distant dream during civilian governments.
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@PP (Punjabi Pakistani): Does that justify the so called democratic government to go & carry on with undemocratic steps???
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we want zardari removed through any means other than martial law.
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@C. Nandkishore:
Good contribution to the debate. Enlightening. Thx, Sir.
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If Zardari still thinks that the army wants him out because he clashes with their “style”, he should get the boot. His “coalition” government has brought the country to its knees – PIA is in touuble, Railways is in a deep abyss. What more does he want to do? If he leaves now, I may vote for Bilawal 4-5 years down the line.
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In past army take over civilian governments for three (3) times, why not this time instead of enforcing dictatorship appoint a PM (IK) directly (no elections). Think BiG :P
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do to him the same as you did to markoff
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you want gentals you will get genrals I any case they will be better than nawz league
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When wa the last time ET pointed out the plethora of SC orders that the Govt, hasn’t implemented? Who’s agenda are you following ET?
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Pakistan is first of democracy is first? Zardari must pay the price for his wrong deeds.Also its good chance to get rid of him before elections.
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“The military has reasserted itself after a November 26 Nato cross-border air attack killed 24 Pakistani soldiers and the memo has also given it political ammunition.”
In a land of conspiracy theorists, why hasn’t anyone jumped at the chance for this one? Anyone who comes into power afterwards if the term is not completed naturally will have a blemish they won’t ever be able to get rid of. There will be tons of people never letting you forget that they, too, had special circumstances for being elected. Otherwise known as a shot to the credibility of saying the people are the reason they’re in power.
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If there is another coup or overthrow of Govt , i am afraid the Nato troops will be in Pakistan in 2012/3. Not to solve any thing but make a mess of it like IRAQ, so to all the brain dead cells in Rawalpindi would request to step back for the sake of the land called Pakistan
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Personality based politics by the way of own agenda through individually managed and self loyal persons as an alternative of party manifesto politics results non-systemized and un-organized party structure, un-skilled and un-experienced leadership, non-political aptitude workers.
Whereas, establishment is well skilled and organized, experienced and systemized in bureaucratic and administrative duties at national, provincial and local level.
Therefore, manifesto less politics, fragile party structure and pseudo-political coworkers, force the political leaders either to subordinate or confront the establishment for politics or governance instead of reciprocal, honorable, reliable and fruitful institutional working relationship to perform their charter of duties according to the constitution, laws and rules of business.
Systemized and organized party structure with skilled and experienced leadership and political mindset workers is the prerequisite of political potentiality and stability as well as reciprocal honorable, reliable and fruitful institutional working relationship according to the constitution, laws and rules of business.
Therefore, political parties are required to launch the “Political Brain Hunt” program to search the political aptitude leaders and workers from every district by the central rank leadership; from every tehsil by the provincial rank leadership and from every union council by the district rank leadership to organize and systemize their parties along with plan of grooming political ethics and skills in party leadership and workers by holding meetings, seminars and workshops.
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How could Pakistanis forget that the Army has ruled them more any civilian outfit since its independence. It looks like that Kayani is trying to show that he is smarter than Musharraf by trying to become a kingmaker rather than the king himself. But he should be real smart if he understands that a lot of water has flown under Jhelum since Zia, Musharraf days and that people may not like ilk of Zardari, Sharif but they hate the Army’s involvement in any business other than defending Pakistani border even more!Recommend
I think Army has no business in expressing its opinion about Zardari or Gilani. It should stop meddling in the affairs of running the Government.
Pakistani armed forces are not without a blemish. It was during Misharrsaf regime that OBL entered Pakistan & established his Abbotabad residence. Pakistani Army’s performance on the battlefield is as bad as its civilian govt. They have yet to win a war!
Pak Army retains its importance by raking Kashmir issue.
So let the army keep to its barracks & let the people elect next govt.
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How bold of military Generals to openly say all this. This just shows they have never been accountable for anything that they have done since creation of Pakistan.
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@Syed: A lot of us want Zardari out but we are mature enough now to know that he has to be voted out in a constitutional way to strengthen institutions in Pakistan. Otherwise we will be back to the instability brought about by the last dictator Musharraf.
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In a vote count at Pakistani news paper Dawn dated 23 Dec; 23% educated and English news paper reading people have voted to say that Pakistan Army should not be under the civil govt. In such circumstances what are the chances of a democratic set up to survive in Pakistan is any body’s guess. But with large number of religious and terror out fits favoring the establishment an estate within estate is likely to be the lot of Pakistan. I think there is hardly any chance for people of Pakistan to breath free. Today the larger question is whether army is above Parliament or NO and not whether Zardari stays or goes.Recommend
By what authority?Recommend
@Babbarsher khan: I agree with you Khan Sahib but “In a vote count at Pakistani news paper Dawn dated 23 Dec; 23% educated and English news paper reading people have voted to say that Pakistan Army should not be under the civil govt.” So Sir are you sure what you say will happen?
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@Daud:
You need Pakistan and Pakistan needs democracy and that’s truth. If army come or any other intervention is done than there will be no Pakistan.Recommend
Let them complete their tenure and let the people of Pakistan decide in upcoming polls. If they have done any thing bad, they are not gonna b selected. But, if people of Pakistan want change they should reject the parties who are full of corrupt people. Imran Khan is the last hope for people of Pakistan.Recommend
And one thing I want to advise army is to remove corruption from the army and try to secure the mother land by securing our eastern and western borders. and punish the people who are involved in corruption like NLC scandal.Recommend
Army should sit back and chill. Let the people of Pakistan have a taste of democracy… soon they will all be rubbing their noses.Recommend
@Nadeem: What is so bizarre is that people like you forget that most of the damage done to the nation was by dictators who have no understanding about how important it is for a nation to develop institutions. Dictatorships have been a curse for Pakistan which is why Kayani is smart enough to influence things behind the scenes but not destabilize the nation like past dictators from Zia to Musharraf to Yahya Khan.
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Let the government complete its term for god’s sake. Let Zardari and Co. lose electorally like India’s Vajpaee. Then a good tradition will take root in the country. Why is everyone being so impatient?
Haste makes waste.
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why people don’t ask people respononsible for security tey sleeping when american came to abbottabad,mehran base or salalla check post they cannot perform thier duty but suggest that tey can do other work bettter from cleaning gutter in wasa to running discos and steel mills which they did in last 64 years so miserablely look railway,steel mills,pia wapda cemment corpoartion pnsc etc even what waht did to Islam in this country please leave us alone we will manage oourselves
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It’s not as simple as it may look. The questions are – will Zardari allow fair elections while during elections he will be the president? Also, is he capable of something really nasty like trying to divide the country or hurting other political leaders if he sees his power is slipping? Has he and will he play by the rules till and beyone the next elections? Those who talk of legalities, in which other truly democratic country can SC’s orders be ignored without any consequence? If SC is powerless, is there another independent institution that can hold any senior govt official responsible for wrongdoings? Or lives of 160 million depend on the PPP leader and his ruber stamp CEC alone?
Nevertheless, army should not step in no matter what. But it should be clear that things and future direction is not as certain as some may make it out to be.
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They are never happy with any political govenment. Be it Zardari or Bhuttos or Nawaz Sharif.
They will be tired of Imran Khan too…
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@ahmed: Ahmed Sahib you say “The questions are – will Zardari allow fair elections while during elections he will be the president? Also, is he capable of something really nasty like trying to divide the country or hurting other political leaders” No Sir, this is not the question; question is you want democracy or army rule in a country based on the dreams of Quaid. If you want democracy then change the rule of PPP if they are not capable. But Sir you can not hand over to the army. Sorry please meet the question squarely. The fairness of elections is in the hand of people of Pakistan.
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