Backdoor Politics takes Centrestage in Pakistan

--By Sagar Satapathy, Editor-in-Chief

The latest developments in Pakistan suggest that something is cooking between Asif Ali Zardari's PPP and President Pervez Musharraf. Although Zardari does not dare to defy people's verdict against Musharraf by joining hands with him, it has become obvious that he is going soft on the beleaguered President and some backdoor politics are being played by both leaders.

Asif Ali Zardari has been in the news for all wrong reasons. There were several corruption charges against him and he was jailed by former PM Nawaz Shariff (now alliance partner), and later exiled. Musharraf, who has once declared a war on corruption, seems to find favor with Zardari.

It came to notice when Zardari made it clear that they did not enjoy a two-third majority in the Parliament to impeach the President. On the other hand, his alliance partner PML - N claimed they had two-third majority with the support of independents and other parties. Both partners are contradicting each other and Nawaz Sharif has even talked of supporting the PPP from outside instead being a part of the government. While Nawaz wants the sacked Judges to be restored, Zardari is silent on this issue.

In another interesting development, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has terminated graft cases against PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. The court's decision followed by the dismissal of three petitions challenging a controversial order granting amnesty to PPP leaders in corruption cases. It gave further ammo to speculations of a possible tie-up between Zardari and Musharraf.

Although these talks may finally end up as rumors and speculation, a future patch-up between Zardari and Musharraf cannot be ruled out. If Musharraf looks for a trusted friend who will bail him out of the current crisis, there is only one option available to him and it's Asif Ali Zardari.