World | Pakistan
Principal players stay in the ring
It is highly unlikely that any of the three leading candidates for the presidential election will withdraw from the race but any surprise change of plans will become clear today, the last date for taking back nominations.
- By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
- Published: 23:53 August 29, 2008
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Islamabad: It is highly unlikely that any of the three leading candidates for the presidential election will withdraw from the race but any surprise change of plans will become clear today, the last date for taking back nominations.
Leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Shujaat Hussain's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) yesterday continued hectic efforts, each trying to convince the other to back their candidate but a breakthrough seemed elusive. All the three major candidates - Asif Zardari of the PPP; Mushahid Hussain of the PML-Q and Justice (retd) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui of the PML-Q are now expected to stay put in the fray.
Given the political situation until last night, Zardari seems to be ahead in terms of votes from parliamentarians. No one knows for sure though what kind of majority he will get - the requirement to walk into president house is at least 352 out of total 702 votes.
Changing scenario
Zardari has made his intention clear that he wants to be president but nothing can be taken for granted due to the rapidly changing political scenario.
The smaller political actors have come into their own in Islamabad even as blackmailing and horsetrading continue on the sidelines.
Though Zardari has clear support from his smaller coalition partners, including the Awami National Party (ANP), the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) besides independent parliamentarians from the tribal areas, it would be naive to think they have been won over without deals involving kind or cash.
Interactions with leading political figures, officials and analysts revealed that the smaller groups have not only received cash incentives but have also been promised high positions, ministries and job recruitment quotas in return for their support.
The government has also announced a ceasefire with militants in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), succumbing to demands from the ANP and JUI, who wanted the military operation to be stopped immediately.
It was also learnt that world leaders have given the go-ahead to Zardari and had dangled a huge financial aid package were he to be elected president.
Meanwhile, Zardari has already moved to the Prime Minister House compound due to high security threats.
The general perception in Islamabad though is that Zardari has too much on his plate.
One-man show
Analysts in the capital are calling it a one-man show. Right know, Zardari is the party head, the de facto prime minister, the unmistakable wheeler-dealer and political mastermind and now is also going to be president. They believe that the solo flight could prove detrimental to the country.
It is however still not the end of the game with seven days to go for the presidential polls.
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