Deal or No Deal between Musharraf and Zardari

The vague deal concluded between Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari seems to be grown stronger as the Musharraf backed Interim Government dropped all corruption charges against PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court dismissed three of the five petitions challenging amnesty given to Zardari last year by Musharraf regime under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

The government’s decision comes hours prior to the PPP and PML-N meeting and discussion about government formation.

As per the reports a working deal has been confirmed between Musharraf and Zardari through the efforts of the US, who acted as negotiators.

The decree was envisaged last year by Musharraf to release slain former premier Benazir Bhutto and her husband Zardari of all corruption charges.

A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Abdul Hameed dismissed petitions filed by Jamaat-e-islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed, PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif and others challenging the constitutional legality of the NRO.

In exchange for the amnesty the PPP leaders had agreed not to boycott the presidential poll, which Musharraf contested second time. Following his re-election Musharraf shed the army uniform and took oath as a civilian President.

Musharraf had promulgated the order on October 15, 2007, a day ahead of the presidential poll. The new law proved advantageous for PPP’s leaders, but did not benefit leaders of PML-N comprising former premier Nawaz Sharif.

The move taken by Musharraf’s interim government is clear and evident that signals Musharraf trying to seek peace with the new political indulgence thrown up after the post-election chemistry. The sources say that Musharraf has also agreed Zardari to maintain its unwillingness against any move to impeach the former.

Justification on the new move

An ordinance in Pakistan lapses automatically after three months and the period crossed the date last month. But the interim government has said it continues to be in force as it was sheltered by the same order which had given validity last year’s Emergency imposed by Musharraf.

The petitions challenging the NRO’s decision had said the law violated fundamental rights as no government has the right to repeal corruption cases.

PML-N opinion on new development

The PML (N) chief Nawaz Sharif clearly instated that he would not be a part of any alliance, which has Musharraf on the top of the constitutional post. In those circumstances, his party would lend support from outside.

He further said that if really Musharraf achieved to take favour of Zardari, it would amply demonstrate his sway with the Bush administration and his importance in their fight against global terror.

Musharraf is trying its best to appease Zardari so that he doesn’t join case with PML-N on the reinstatement of judges dismissed by Musharraf and instead forms a government with support from MQM and ANP.