The president’s absence has put the premier in the hot seat.
Justifying President Zardari’s visit to Dubai, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani referred to an alleged terrorist plan when the president’s father, the late Hakim Ali Zardari, was admitted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
Security and comfort level with the president’s personal physicians in Dubai were the main reasons for going abroad, Gilani said.
Would the government write to Swiss authorities for revival of a money laundering case against President Zardari? “I am mentally prepared … we will cross the bridge when it comes,” Gilani said while talking to reporters.
Responding to whether President Zardari’s return was subject to Chief of Army Staff and DG Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) replies to court in memogate case, the PM said that heads of both institutions would submit their replies through his [premier’s] office and the issue had nothing to do with the president.
Memogate
Gilani bemoaned that the president is dragged in for every issue.
“I had summoned Husain Haqqani (former ambassador to US) when the opposition raised the issue, and demanded his resignation for a fair trial while entrusting the investigation to a parliamentary committee,” the premier said. “I am the appointing authority, and therefore, responsible, instead of the president,” he said.
Gilani also questioned the credibility of the memo’s self-declared whistleblower, Mansoor Ijaz, and said that the entire episode was “not an issue [for him] at all.” Publication of an article cannot jeopardise the entire country, he said.
Nato attack
An internal inquiry on the Nato airstrike is under way and its findings could “more or less” be the same as those pointed out by the director-general military operation – that the attack was not an accident, the premier said.
On the present status of Pak-US relations, Gilani said that “true friendship starts after a quarrel.” We want to maintain excellent relationship with the US based on mutual respect, he added.
Challenges
Gilani identified law and order, electricity shortage, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Railways, Pakistan Steel Mills, and circular debt as challenges he faces.
“I will make a big announcement on December 25,” the premier said, without sharing any details.
Where does his commitment to party stand, after former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s resignation? “I am committed to the party. I would rather quit politics than stab the party,” Gilani said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2011.
COMMENTS (32)
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I pray for Zardari’s best health and continuation of Pakistan’s Democratic System without any interference of any nonconstitutional measures. President Zardari is democratically elected. Any one who opposes him should adapt constitutional ways. As far as propaganda of corruption is concerned those people should go to the Supreme court and get decision. One must understand that all corruption cases are wrongly installed by his political opponents and they could not prove any of them during 11 years in any courts and people know the courts were also against him. Zardari is brave and not corrupt. Martial lovers have not any bright future. They should go to the people and launch campaign against Zardari. PPP will answer and people pf Pakistan will decide. And their decision must be accepted. Zardari Khappay. Pakistan Khappay. Democracy Khappay.
@Ganesh Ram:
Thats why Salman khan was here in Pittsburgh for the treatment of trigeminal neurolgia ? A basic surgery that can be done anywhere in Pakistan ( and perhaps India )
@Syed Kashmiri:
Well not as many as those who died in Pakistan out of Dengue before Indian medicines saved remaining Pakistanis..
Sonia Gandhi, chief of Indian Congress went to US to get medical treatment to her unknown disease. May be the disease was too private and needed to be protected from Indian public. Similarly Zardari too did not want what disease he is suffering from.
Ganesh Ram: I wouldn't want even my enemy to get treatment in India. Now can you tell me how many patients were roasted alive in the most recent fire in the CALCUTTA HOSPITAL ?
@Thinktank:
What to speak of a common man if President of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has to go abroad for treatment purpose. Is anyone is protected and secured in that country?
Mr. Zardari should have visit India for treatment where he could be seen by the world's best physicians and Surgeons as compared to Emirates where apart from being most expensive treatment, doctors are also not that highly skilled as compared to Indians.
Many notable figures like Singer Mehdi Hassan, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and number of Pakistani businessmen and civilians much often visit India for routine medical check-up and treatment which is far less expensive that any other countries in the world.
Jai Bharat Mata Ki
Ganesh
Look at the level president had to go to Dubai for security reasons,prime minister will cross the bridge when it comes supreme court has given the verdict and the bridge is yet to come what a shame !
Reply Ishrat, You seem so fond of our current elected democratic government that its overwhelming, why hasnt anyone yet ever talked abt before 4 yrs, why hasnt anyone ever talked about how the current government inherited what it has to take upon now, if it is being confronted with such grave issues should we not all let it complete its first term, who else do we have PTI(pls all the rejects of the current elected party) have joined it, then who Nawaz(pls another fundu) are u willing for this country to go back 20 yrs with Military takeover, you decide, its my strong belief that every democratic process has to go through what is happening with Pakistan, no doubt times are un imaginable, then STOP REPLYING TO THESE BLOGS AND COME OUT ON THE STREETS AND HELP YOUR SO CALLED POOR CLASS AND CREATE A REVOLUTION FOR CHANGE.All everyone does is critise and not contribute to our society.
President Zardari is only a consitutional head, he does not run government. His presence is only symbolic. Therefore please let him get medical treatment wherever he wants or how long it takes. Its non of anybody's business. Senate Chairman can take his role for time being. Many government officials take long leaves and in some cases go for years on medical grounds. Why cann't our President do the same. ( or he cann't because he is Zardari).
He probably knows that similar to his Wife's assassination if he were to mysteriously die in a Pakistani hospital no one in Pakistan would investigate. I don't blame him a bit for going overseas for health issues -- can't recall any big shot in Pakistan ever volunteering to use a Pakistani medical facility for anything important.
Neither any politician nor people are secure in Pakistan except the top military brass.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister... you are suggesting that u are unable to provide security to the President of Pakistan.... that is very disturbing... what of the 180 million Pakistanis, they should feel very secured now!
Mr. Prime Minister... you are suggesting that u are unable to provide security to the President of Pakistan.... that is very disturbing... what of the 180 million Pakistanis, they should feel very secured now!
What is wrong with everyone, can not an individual fall ill or have the right to seek any medical attention where he feels comfortable, Mr Zardari will finish his term and will be the first elected civilian government to steer the nation towards prosperity and progress. Democracy is the best revenge.
@Shamy: yes right
@Thinktank: Perhaps,while you were writing the comments forgot the incidents,events happened on different occasion in Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in the broad day light.Musharraff was attacked by insurgents when he was on way to visit any place.Do you know that what happened with Liaqat Ali Khan he was also prime minister.I can present before you many examples.
Here inside not safety.Attack,as expressed and expected might be happened.Political Parties are criticizing him on the policies adopted by the PPP government Taliban organization understand him pro American figure they are fighting with Americans for independence of Afghanistan. Pakistan is not safer place due to terrorists,extremist's activities are still going on every day . The above reasoned circumstances compelled the PPP leadership,medical checkup must be abroad. There is no anything strange in the decision.History is witness great politicians ,religious clerics and more than others high profiles have been there for treatment and medical checkup. Your arguments addressed through comments are baseless,groundless and senseless,not acceptable any way.
He needs to man up !!
How come he did not allow the military to protect the citizens of Pakistan when they were being bloodied and slaughtered for so long and the people were screaming and demanding for security and protection from the military?. . . .were their lives not precious??
Shame if president does not consider himself safe in the country who else will. At least government should admit now that security situation is not good in Pakistan.
our govt is too weak to protect president.how afghanistan border will be secure from nato attack.
President not feeling secure in his own country!!!!!!!!!! Then live somewhere else.
No weight in story... no good way of reporting.....fake story Just for attraction...
Very strange and weird logic..
If the country's defense cannot protect the president and flies him to Dubai for security reasons he can as well take his entire cabinet with him
If there are security issues for the President then let him resign and stay away from Pakistan.
The PPP government is just passing time and is not in a position to confront power shortages, inflation, corruption, flood affectees, agricultural supply side economics, law and disorder, joblessness, PIA, PS, NICL, Hajj scams and the list goes on.
You should be thankful the armed forces are tackling the border situation because if the PPP was, then by now Pakistan would really be messed up (being euphemistic).
Let us wait for December 25 2011 to hear the announcement you hope to make. Go PPP go.
Salams to Pakistan
The nation elected you with a heavy mandate and only national assembly can bring about any change not the other institutions. There is always a war going on between people who are elected and those who can only come into power via army action. The PCO SC must find the killers of Salim Shehzad, protectors of OBL, the culprits of GHQ and Mehran Base to name only a few. The speed with which the SC acted on NS's application against PPP shows that "if there is a will there is a way" and SC has time to move if it wants in the above cases.
It is a pity that a president feels insecure in the country of which he is the president. It makes you think that if he is really the president?