The Pakistani Spectator

Since  few  days  the  news  of  differences  between President  Zardari  and  PM  Gilani  is being  discussed  among  some  informed  circles.  Though both  the offices deny  it  however according  to reliable  sources  the  relations  between the  two power   centers  are  not  all smooth  The  main cause  of this seems to be  the  all imposing   attitude  of  the  Zardari  who  consider  himself  as  a  king  and  want  his  selected  PM Gilani  as  subservient and totally  obedient.

While  PM Gilani  probably does  not wish to  be no  more  just  a  cosmetic  PM . So is the tussle. Though at  present the  reason for  the  alleged rift are  some  cases of postings  and question of protocol  etc which  may be  some  how settled .  However  the  tussle  may feared  to be  aggravated  and  come  to the  surface  in the  coming  days  PPP leadership and also  Zardari himself  has  promised , before  and  after the  general  elections , that   58 (2) B and the 17th amendment would  repelled .

After  Zardari  election  as  President  it  was  announced  by  him  and also by Pm  and other  government  top   leaders  that they  will  do  the  same  in  March 2009 as at  that  time  they would  be  having  the  required members  in the  senate  when  new elections  for  it would  be held in March 2009.  As  the   time  for  the  senate   elections  are  approaching and  so  preparation  for  the  promised repel of the much malign 58)2) B and  other  clauses of  the  constitution has to  be  initiated    Already  the  Q  league   has submitted a Bill  in this   regard  to the  chairman senate .PML(N) is   also demanding  for  it  from time  to  time -  Along  with it  some  PPP  parliamentarians  and  leaders   including  PM   also issue  statements often and  then   expressing their  determination   for the  restoration of  1973 constitution  to  the  pre 12  October 1999 position .

That situation  may  escalate  the  rift  between the  President  and the  PM  . As  PM is  all  in favor   of repelling  the 58(2) B and   some other clauses   which  would  empower him  however  Zardari, would   never like it  as it  would  deprive  him  from the  power, During the days  when  presidential  elections  was being  held   i  had  expressed  the  following  observation, which  were  published in several  English dailies . I  copy  it  here for  the  interests  of  readers

“Mr. Asif Zardari has been nominated as the candidate for president ship by PPP and most likely he will be elected. Would the 17th amendment be abolished, as repeatedly promised earlier by the PPP, particularly the powers available to the president under 58-2(b) or some excuse be invented so that it remains with the president? Common assumption, rather fear is that as Zardari is never going to be a powerless and nominal president. The oft-repeated pledge of reducing president’s powers and in particular abolishment of article 58-2(b) may be pushed aside while all the previous rhetoric and tall claims made by him and other PPP stalwarts regarding 17th amendment’s removal will be somehow turned away by bringing forth some new logic or excuse.

The same will be blindly cherished and supported by almost all the PPP elected members who are known to be always ready to appease the PPP co-chairperson at all cost and cannot dare to disagree with him”.[ For  reference –Statesman Peshawar  ( 28 august  2008) Daily  Pakistan 26 August 2008)]

Here  i would  add  that now  in the  coming  days  it  would  be  seen  how  Zardari and  his  Co  manipulate that  situation. The  fate of  Gilani seems to be  depended  on  his policy .If  he  resist  Zardari  manipulations then  his  days  seems  to  numbered. However if  he  agrees himself  to  be  docile and loyal  PM then  he  may remain  chief  executive (cosmetic) for  some  time  The  repel of 58(2) B would  be  also a  test of the  moral  courage  for  the PPP  parliamentarians  and leaders . If PM  Gilani ,  instead  of  remaining a  powerless  PM,  opted  to resist  any  manipulation on the  part of  Zardari  in this  regard , then  it  would  be  seen how  many PPP leaders   support  him  Though  presently  it is  less  likely that  most  of  PPP elected members  could  muster the  courage  to  go  against their  big Boss-  “Zardari “as they are known to be always ready to appease the president   at all cost and cannot dare to disagree with him.

Any way  let us  see  what  turn the  present  tussle  take  and  if  it  continue  then  who may  emerge  as  winner  in  this till date  silent  battle of power -  the  all imposing President or  the  Sufi minded  gentle   Prime Minster