Challenges for Pak president

ASIF Ali Zardari, widower of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, has been elected president of Pakistan. Nothing in Zardari’s past would persuade one to believe that he is the man Pakistan, now going through one of the most critical periods in its history, needs at this juncture — a leader who can inspire the people of his country to follow him in the crucial battles ahead. He lacks charisma and would have remained on the sidelines of the Pakistani politics but for the accidents of history. Even a seasoned politician and experienced administrator would have faced an uphill task keeping rebellious tribal rebels in check and the army in its barracks. Zardari is neither. Complicating the situation is the fact that he has inherited his late wife Benazir Bhutto’s visceral dislike of Nawaz Sharif, the only realistic challenger to the Bhutto clan’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Widely distrusted and with no obvious political experience, Zardari would seem to be entering on an impossible task to restore political and social stability, while leading Pakistan to the economic renaissance that has been so long delayed. Adding to his woes is the fact that so many, even some top PPP people, are so leery of Zardari’s abilities and trustworthiness.Under Pervez Musharraf, the presidential office became far more powerful and now enjoys wide executive powers. His successor must use them wisely. Zardari’s former fame as a playboy and the allegations of corruption will, of course, dog him. Maybe since so little is expected of him, he can surprise his detractors. But the question is whether he can act responsibly, keep his cronies at a distance and listen to advice from those who have the best interests of the country in their hearts.This is not to deny that he has already shown some political acumen, if not indeed cunning. The first inspired move was to include his 18-year-old son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as joint PPP leader with him after Benazir’s assassination. Thereafter Zardari managed to keep the uneasy coalition with Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) going until last month, while working to force Musharraf from office. Nawaz wanted a neutral candidate for president and also wanted the head of state’s powers to be curbed. Zardari kept Nawaz guessing while both combined to unseat Musharraf. Thereafter he turned the tables on his political partner by refusing to help cut presidential powers and announcing that he would run for the office himself.At the same time Zardari has been working quietly to gain the confidence of the army, particularly of its chief of staff, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani. Zardari’s one wrong step came in July when he tried to have the coalition government curb the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) that is widely suspected of maintaining links with Taleban-supporting tribesmen. Nevertheless it is now reported that Kayani is conducting a high level job reshuffle among senior commanders and this may include those in charge of the ISI.

Having defeated Sharif in the presidential election, Zardari now has a mandate to govern. One of his first challenges will be the restoration of the judges deposed by Musharraf. Sharif has consistently demanded that this be done. Zardari was less enthusiastic, perhaps because of the way some members of the judiciary pursued him on corruption charges for which he spent eight years in jail.The new president is supposed to have a master plan in which the military will be given all the money and equipment it wants to keep out of politics and really fight the tribal insurgency. But his biggest job is reform and liberalization to get the economy moving. That will mean taking some unpopular decisions.