Musharraf-Bhutto deal architect

Islamabad: Mahmoud Ali Durrani joined as National Security Adviser a few months ago after Hussain Haqqani was posted as Pakistan's ambassador to Washington.

Durrani was made the country's top diplomat to Washington in mid 2006 by then president Pervez Musharraf. Prior to that, he was associated with some think tanks in the US.

Officials say that from the date of his assuming office, Durrani was actively engaged in back-channel negotiations between the slain Benazir Bhutto and Musharraf.

The deal between Musharraf and Bhutto was given the final shape with active involvement of the US administration with Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher being an anchor person after Haqqani took over.

Boucher has recently been given the top civilian award of Pakistan by President Asif Zardari at a time when the anti-American feeling is rampant in Pakistan at time when American drones are constantly attacking the tribal region despite strong protests by the Pakistani authorities. And critics say Boucher was decorated with Pakistan's highest civil award for his favours to the Bhutto-Zardari family rather the country itself.

Durrani was serving as major-general in the Pakistani Army in Bhawalpur when the plane of then president Zia-ul-Haq crashed killing top generals as well as the American ambassador to Pakistan. Zia had visited the Bhawalpur area at the invitation Durrani.

Prior to his appointment as General Officer Commanding Bhawalpur, Durrani also served as military secretary to Zia-ul-Haq.

He also served as military attaché in Pakistan embassy in Washington.

Sources in the Pakistani government say there are bright chances of Tariq Aziz, the former secretary of National Security Council, assuming charge as National Security Adviser. Aziz, a close confidant of Musharraf resigned from his job the day Musharraf quit as president and has ever since been living a quiet life. Aziz had earlier served as his principal secretary.

Aziz handled back channel negotiations with India as well as political matters at home.