Ashraf emerged as the winner in a messy race to the top spot after Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified by the Supreme Court in a contempt case.
How did he beat the contenders?
The race to the chief executive spot was not supposed to be easy, and it had its casualties.
Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar had a head start but went on to declare, and basically shoot himself in the foot, that he might be the prime minister. Mukhtar perhaps forgot that in President Zardari’s style of politicking, if it is too obvious, it will not be.
Makhdoom Shahabuddin followed, with Ashraf as a covering candidate. There was consensus, and all was swell, until the arrest warrants were issued by the Anti Narcotics Force. As Shahabuddin went down, Qamar Zaman Kaira appeared out of the blue and submitted his papers. Eventually, Ashraf made it past all to the finishing line.
Was it his good fortune (and others’ misfortune), or is this a masterstroke by President Zardari? The jury is still out on that one.
Strengths and weaknesses
On the face of it, his proximity to the corridors of power goes in Ashraf’s favour. A senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader, originally from Sindh, and rakes in an important constituency sound good enough credentials on paper. Ashraf has been elected to the National Assembly twice from NA-51 (Rawalpindi II) – in 2002, and then in 2008. He has also previously served as the secretary general of the PPP.
His public performance, however, has been far from stellar.
As water and power minister between 2008 and 2011, Ashraf failed so spectacularly that he had to be removed. His notorious ‘December’ deadlines for an end to load-shedding even invited the rebuke of former premier Gilani, who asked him publicly to stop giving December deadlines.
After his portfolio was taken away, Ashraf made headlines again for his involvement in the rental power plant fiasco. In its verdict that declared all rental power plant agreements illegal, the apex court also called for initiating legal proceedings against Ashraf since the entire scheme was envisaged and executed under his minister-ship. Those legal proceedings are yet to start.
Why him then?
It will take some time for this to sink in – that Ashraf is our elected prime minister. The last time the entire country was this baffled was when Zardari himself became the president.
But observers say Raja could be here for one of the two reasons. Either, by choosing a candidate who has had friction with the judiciary, the party is announcing its confrontation with the judiciary. Or, he is electorally dispensible, and will be sacrificed at the altar of Swiss letter, just the way Gilani was.
He clearly is not a serious contender for premiership, and his tenure will not bring any electoral dividends to the PPP. Zardari, we can safely assume, is aware of that.
COMMENTS (26)
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He has been elected fairly as Prime Minister. All the diatribe against him is just due to political opposition.
Mother to father: I am worried about our youngest son, he is not studying well / steals when ever given a chance / liar / has no direction to life as compared to his other siblings who are completly opposite.
Father: My dear, you do not know his worth.... he is a born politician. Don't worry others will worry.
Zardari is a master political craftsman. This is what politics is all about when your foes wander in quandary. A real master stroke fast and sharp.
What is role of Ashraf, Malik and Gilani? In the master voice only real rain makers count no one else does. Gilani was thought to be scrupulous and clean by PP standards but when he left he had become a joke of a human being no moral or dignity left. He became a mirror of his master Ashraf has already surpassed the master. More credit to the Master to expect anything less then the most corrupt politician on the face of the planet should be unthinkable his selection proves that.
It takes a worst human being to become the greatest politician. Examples; the BHAI and Zardari!!! Spit on your characters but still salute on your political abilities!
Have become a huge fan of Zardari after 4 years! Long Live Zardari!
My opinion, Zardari knows and plans to leave Pakistan 24 hr before his immunity expires. I would think everyone knows that. Till then he will practice the art of political manuevering.
Pakistanis deserve this. Only a morally bankrupt and intellectually challenged nation can have not one but two excuses of human beings leading the country.The Pakistani people are masters of their own destruction. Hello democracy, goodbye intellectual reasoning. Pakistanis, you reap what you sow.
President Zardari is confident, disciplined and sharp decision maker under the supervision of American think tank.
No matter what AZ does the day of reckoning is coming soon. Raja is just another servant who will be sacrificed by AZ when the time come.
Fools!..Recall Sherry Rehman, put on an adhoc US Ambassador and get Sherry to be Prime Minister. The PPP has one strong link in it's political chain mail, it's the only party that will ever give women the top slot...
Not a master stroke, but a good stroke, I think he will be out in next elections, bear this for six more months. I wish this time we will have fair elections in Pakistan and Supreme Court will take tight measures on this. GOD Bless Pakistan!
@Soothla:
Your sarcasm is killing me!!
Where is imran khan? Is he still relevant?! P
Yes it's a mater stroke, time will prove
We are shocked, embarrassed and ashamed to have Raja rental as our PM. I am looking to opposition parties for mass moment and praying for judiciary activism; however, am not willing to do anything except to write on blogs and conveying frustration among fellow countrymen. I must state that democracy is best revenge
Congratulations to our new Prime Minister.I know that you will bring peace, happiness and prosperity to every Pakistani citisen.With you Sir, Mr. Zardari and beloved Bilalwal we know that Pakistan will be in good hands for years to come.Pakistan deserves the best as always.
I have the opportunity to meet once almost all the Head of the States of Pakistan on the ground right from the Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto onwards that also include General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf.
But with Raja Pervez Ashraf, I had the opportunity to meet him at 20,000 feet high above the ground level on my way back home from Islamabad on the Flight PK-309 when he was Federal Minister for Electricity and Power.
I congratulate Raja Pervez Ashraf on becoming the 25th Prime Minister of Pakistan.
A party has been sacrificed at the altar of one man's deeds. From ZAB, down to the Raja Rental - makes me want to throw up.
its not a mystery, actually its pretty obvious. he put someone out there that the judiciary has already recommended proceedings against. when these proceedings start, PPP, like ALWAYS, will start playing the poor step-son card about how they are being bullied by the big bad judiciary. zardari doesnt want to clash with the judiciary, he wants the judiciary to publically go after him so he can play his 'poor us' card, the one that got them into power after bhuttos death. i think zardari realizes sympathy might be the only thing that can get him back into power since they have destroyed this country too much and getting back into government by merit is impossible!
Is it really a Masterstroke? Perhaps his performance should be reviewed again, but then we are talking of a Party with no moral standing. Lets say he just a reflection of his Leader.
So now agree Zardari is a genius. But be careful some times over confidence spoils too .Apex court in its ruling of Jan 2012 has already included his name for next shot.
The nose is getting tighter around zardari. No matter what games he play.