Off to Europe

LOS ANGELES: Zardari’s trip to France and the UK has to be viewed in a broader perspective. Of course, the timing is awful , coinciding with the devastation of floods throughout the country and the bloodbath in Karachi.

But the main issue is that, after the passage of the 18th amendment, if the prime minister is the chief executive let the professionals in our Foreign Office determine how and when to confront the Cameron situation. Gilani’s justification for the unfortunate presidential trip is not only hollow but is also establishing his acceptance of a subservient and short-sighted utilitarian role in the existing set-up. Another question we need to ask ourselves is: how do we identify and differentiate between Asif Ali Zardari the president of Pakistan and Asif Ali Zardari, chairman of the PPP?

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2010.