New Delhi: Zardari has reportedly agreed to revoke Governor's Rule in Punjab paving the way for the possible restoration of Nawaz Sharif's party.
Nawaz Sharif said, “Mr Zardari has failed to honour his commitments and carry out his obligations.”
But on the issue of restoring deposed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, a blunt refusal followed by a request for more time to mull the issue.
The development lending credence to reports of a 24-hour ultimatum served on Zardari to bend to the political winds or risk emasculation.
The ultimatum coming from Washington and London was conveyed to Zardari through Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and backed up by America's main contractor in Pakistan – the army.
Zardari must agree to defuse the current political standoff by:
- Removing Zardari ally and Punjab Governor Salman Taseer .
- A new constitutional package to bring together the PPP and the PML-N.
- Critical to this package the reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry within 48 hours.
- And the removal of the bar on third terms for prime ministers potentially opening the doors to a Nawaz Sharif prime ministership.
Failure to move on these proposals could see the so called Minus One Formula put into operation which means Zardari's wings will be clipped forever with Gilani's prime ministership coming into its own.
Sharif said, “We are the government’s partners to rebuild the system, a democratic system and not a one that has been inherited from a dictator.”
Clearly, the lawyers Long March, Sharif's declaration of war against Zardari and the President's crackdown had sent an unmistakable signal to Washington and London that Zardari was making too many enemies and dividing his resources when focus should have been on the war against the Taliban.
Zardari has conceded some ground but whether in 24 hours he will surrender more ground or prefer to fight it out is the question.
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