Safe Exit Not A Bad Option

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Issuance of detailed verdict on the (national reconciliation ordinance) NRO review petition and the re-emerging issue of Zardari’s money laundering cases pending in the Swiss courts have been troubling Mr. zardari.
Nevertheless, he remains an accused of money laundering, yet that has lately been identified as an international offence. It is not considered serious enough of an offence to prosecute a head of state in a foreign court, especially while the president is still in power. Thus, he continues to enjoy protection from criminal prosecution in customary international law under the principle of "Head of State Immunity abroad " during his tenure as President of Pakistan.
But his troubles don’t stop here, as May 2nd incidence, strong wave of public anger directed at him - chanting “Go Zardari Go, and other political rhetorics” have put really deep dents in his strength despite his being a man of strong nerves.

The bundle of serious legal issues including the rejected NRO review petition, issuance of subpoena in memogate scandal to the top military brass to appear/file evidence before the apex court on Dec 16, have given a lot of stress to Pres Zardari lately.
And, the embattled president decided to address the joint session of Parliament to clear the air and prove his innocence.
Yet, all of a sudden, the President, under severe mental pressure, suffered a mild heart attack/stroke and an anxiety attack. So instead of stepping down and instantly losing legal immunity as head of state - becoming more vulnerable to face the long-standing corruption charges against him in Pakistan, it was his wise decision at the right time to seek further medical treatment and be safer abroad at the same time for the time being till the dust settles down in his favour.

While the general perception about the vanishing boss still remains that he has been facilitated with the safe exit. Whether he is returning shortly or never is too early to figure out. According to his party he hasn’t left to avoid possible impeachment or any other legal cases against him.
It’s understandable, article 6 of the constitution has never been invoked in Pakistan against coup makers/ usurpers, yet a criminal trial against civil leadership under article 6 is scary one indeed. Legal proceedings on December 16 or afterwards would actually bring to light all evidence regarding the ignited memo scandal. Of course, the accused is innocent till proven guilty. Till then the boss is immune too.


Since 2009, the SC has tried everything very patiently to get the federal government to implement the NRO judgement by writing to the Swiss government and asking them to restart the cases against the president. However, in view of the ongoing defiance of apex court verdicts by the federal executive for so long, the chief justice of Pakistan under article 190 is authorised to order the armed forces to execute the enforcement of all judicial verdicts so far defied/neglected by the government.


Constitutionally, the president is supposed to be non partisan, but Zardari has been ridiculously promoting his own political party (PPP) and keeping a dual office in clear violation of the rules.

Also, President has to be medically fit including mental fitness. In fact, Zardari absented himself from appearing in Swiss court by producing a medical certificate showing his condition of depression and dementia at the time.
As such, he has been elected as president in violation of the constitution which renders his immunity void ab initio. The incompetent Zardari regime delivered nothing but nonsense of instability and insecurity to the people and the institutions and tarnished the image of Pakistan.


Look who is talking?
A sudden emergence of his son in the political arena is quite thought provoking. Twenty three year old kid - fresh from school has started presiding over the Meeting of senior party leaders. Vow!
It appears Bilawal has finally entered practical politics to pick up from where his dad left off.
The dynastic babe is now presiding over a major political force when he is as much a travesty of democracy as any draconian dictatorship. Amazingly, the members of parliament and other senior party members behave like courtiers in front of him (a product of the unverified will).
Isn’t it a clear cut mockery of democracy? Even if the WILL was genuine one, there wouldn’t be room for dynastic politics in the modern day political environment as everybody is equal and just the merit should matter.


Moreover, eye brows were raised as Zardari wished to take Mr. Haqani along to Dubai despite his (Haqani’s) name on the exit control list.


Sadly, the general public have been deceived by their leaders time and again during the last sixty four years. Many people continue  looking for the children of the ruling elite as potential leaders of the future.
This mindset simply defies all logic.
Dynastic politics has to end now. Cashing in on dead ones is cheating the naive public in search of a soft corner. A political hypocrisy through Bilawal Zardari is aimed at maintaining the status quo.

Only a competent leadership from amongst the ordinary people would be in the best interest of Pakistan.
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UPDATES
Dec 16, 2011

Getting ugly:

Zardari hasn't yet filed his reply in the apex court as required.
In view of President's personal condition, Constitutionally, the Supreme court of Pakistan can order a formation of Medical Board to assess the mental and medical fitness of  Zardari sahib and confirm if the president as the supreme commander is healthy and alert enough to look after 180 million Pakistanis and protect the interests of the country.
"If article 47(1) of the constitution is invoked, I won't accept it because I am  healthy," says Zardari.

Dec 19, 2011

Back to Square one 




 Billionaire Zardari is a dual beneficiary of his immunity from (a) having bi-polar disorder and cardio-vascular disorder (b) being as head of the State. 
The frustrated Pakistanis feel Zardari's holding on to the position of co-chairmanship and the Presidency at the same time in violation of the constitution makes him a national headache of the century who has wasted precious four years without delivering. His democracy is really taking revenge through bringing the country almost towards total collapse.
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