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Zardari's
Presidency Is Not In Pakistan's Interest
Pakistan is in a lot of trouble. It cannot
afford to have someone of Mr. Zardari’s
fame in President House. Of course, NRO has provided relief to
Mr. Zardari from all cases, but his cases have left his
reputation seriously damaged. And this damage is not limited to
Pakistan Mr. Zardari’s reputation has been the topic of all
major dailies around the globe at least for last 20 years.
Unfortunately, the stories of his corruption have not died
regardless of NRO and Government of Pakistan’s withdrawal of
cases against Mr. Zardari from British and Swiss courts.
PPP has every right to have its President
elected for next 5 years, but it is also PPP’s obligation to
nominate someone with clean record. All those PPP stalwarts who
requested Mr. Zardari to become president are more like the
members of PML (Q) musical band who wanted to get general Musharraf
elected in uniform 10 times. PPP leadership’s this blind folded behavior will
definitely cut PPP’s life in power short.
Pakistan is already known around the globe as
a safe heaven for high profile criminals. The common image of
Pakistan in the comity of nations is of a country where people
can get away with any crime. They can violate constitution, they
can break all the laws on the books, and they can commit as much
corruption as they like, but they can still remain the honorable
members of the society. If they wear uniform, or if they are
members of civil elite, they go scot-free no matter what crime
they commit.
Zardari’s presence in President House will
constantly reinforce Pakistan’s image as a criminals’ safe
heaven.
Other than stigmas of corruption attached to
Mr. Zardari, there are also several other solid reasons why he
should not become the President of Pakistan.
It is in the interest of Pakistan to
reinstate deposed judges; it is in the interest of Pakistan to
eliminate foreign influence in governmental decision making
process; it is in the interest of Pakistan to try general
Musharraf for his crimes against the constitution, the state and
the people of Pakistan; and it is also in the interest of Pakistan
to reevaluate and re-strategize its participation and operation
of war against terrorism.
Mr. Zardari is on record, he accepted foreign
influence to make his decisions about these important issues. If
a person accepts foreign influence to deal with issues of such
national importance it would be unwise he should become
President of Pakistan.
Mr. Zardari did not only accept foreign
influence on these issues of national importance he also
looked up to international institutions for making decisions
about many pressing issues like price-hike, energy shortages,
economic management and law and order.
Pakistan will shoot in its feet if Mr.
Zardari becomes general Musharraf’s replacement. We passionately
appeal Mr. Zardari to withdraw his name from Presidential race
and let someone else with cleaner image become the next
President of Pakistan.
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