Blind loyalty to party proves costly for Gilani

Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, indicted by the Supreme Court Monday, was once seen as a shrewd operator with the best chance of bringing stability to Pakistan.

The soft-spoken figure tiptoed through Pakistan's political minefields and at times acted as a troubleshooter — charming opposition leaders over tea or a meal to take the heat off the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

What he lacks in charisma, Gilani has made up for by maintaining close contact with Pakistanis through frequent public appearances and speeches. But the longest-serving civilian prime minister in Pakistan's turbulent history may be at the end of the line because of his defiance of the Supreme Court, which has become increasingly assertive over the last few years.

He was formally charged with contempt for refusing to ask Swiss authorities to re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. If convicted, Gilani could face up to six months in jail and disqualification from public office.

Lack of arrogance

Rasul Bakhsh Rais, professor at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, said Gilani's politeness and lack of the arrogance typical of other Pakistani politicians has enabled him to reach out to many people, including opponents. But his support for Zardari, who heads the PPP, landed him in trouble.

"From the start he had a choice whether to be his own prime minister or remain hostage to Zardari's political dramas, and he made the wrong choice," said Rais. "In the end his blind loyalty to Zardari and his party cost him."

The government may not fall, but losing the prime minister would be a big embarrassment for the ruling party.

Gilani has lasted for so long partly because he had skilfully steered clear of antagonising Pakistan's powerful military, which has ruled the country for more than half of its history through a series of coups, or from behind the scenes.

But the prime minister, unanimously elected by parliament in 2008 after the PPP won a general election, crossed a red line this year. Gilani accused the army and spy chiefs of acting unconstitutionally during a Supreme Court investigation into a mysterious memo that sought US help in reining in the military.

Gilani also described the military as a state within a state in a speech in parliament, putting him in the army's crosshairs. He later withdrew his criticism after pressure from the military.

Ironically, he was an ally of then-military ruler Zia-ul-Haq at the beginning of his career.