Pakistan People Party has nominated Asif Ali Zardari to be the next President of Pakistan. As of today, it seems likely that Asif Zardari is going to be the next President of Pakistan. It is also obvious that the Pakistan People Party and its allies (excluding Pakistan Muslim League (N)) have the necessary majority to win the election. Mr. Zardari's candidacy has been supported by MQM and ANP, two of the major parties representing Sindh and N.W.F.P. This should be welcome news for Washington because Mr. Zardari believes in progressive policies that his wife championed and he is Washington's natural ally compared to Nawaz Sharif, who has a become vocal American critic.
Mr. Zardari has been accused of everything in Pakistan. He has lived in the Prime Minister House and he has given about 12 years of his life to Pakistan's prisons because of the nasty political system that has been destroying progressive political landscape in Pakistan. However, it should be noted that despite allegations of corruption against Mr. Zardari, nothing has been proved, either inside Pakistan, or abroad against Mr. Zardari.
Mr. Zardari has emerged as a collaborative figure after the tragic death of his charismatic wife. Altaf Hussain, who heads the third largest political party, MQM, has surprised everyone by proposing Asif Zardari for the presidency, because MQM and PPP have been bitter rivals for decades. According to MQM chief, he was impressed by Mr. Zardari's handling of the party after Benazir's death, and his efforts to successfully and peacefully pressuring Musharraf to quit is an example that Mr. Zardari can get along with all parties. Now, Awani National Party (ANP) has endorsed Mr. Zardari as well. This support from two very different political parties show the depth of Mr. Zardari's skills as a national political leader and hopefully, he would successfully steer the country in the direction of peace, prosperity and progress.
Bilal Qureshi
