Dynastic image
Photo: AFP
Every year 6th September is observed as Defense Day in Pakistan. This year it brought double rejoicing among the supporters of the ruling People's Party as its Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has been elected President of the country. In the parliamentary form of government, the status of a president does not exceed that of a showpiece; but in the case of any Pakistani President armed with Special Powers under Article 58 2B means that he has been made equal to any 'dictator'. He is now authorized to dismiss any elected government, appoint or remove governor or provincial assemblies and army top brass too, on his own and without consulting anyone. All such 'fortunes' have come to a man who was an unknown figure before marrying Benazir Bhutto. Even after becoming the husband of Pakistan's first woman prime minister, he could not check himself and was nicknamed “Mr. Ten Percent” for corruption he committed during his wife's rule. He was charged and sent to jail first in 1990, soon after the dismissal of Benazir's first elected government; where he spent 3 years. He was again caught and jailed half an hour after Benazir's second government was sacked in 1996. He was living in exile, when he got the chance to enter Pakistan to attend his wife's funeral. Within 24 hours he declared himself the Chairman of the PPP and was able to join hands with his arch rival Muslim League (Nawaz). The success of two major parties in the February 18 election helped to remove Pervez Musharraf from presidency; and to fill in the gap Zardari unilaterally announced himself as the candidate for the position. No doubt, he is a clever politician. The Bhutto dynasty is dreaming to rule Pakistan in the years to come.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments