LEGALLY OFFENSIVE

The NRO judgement has made half the nation legal experts. Almost anybody possessing legal or political knowledge is contributing to the NRO debate unleashed by the media. The former superior judges, lawyers and politicians are in great demand. The lawyers who would not open their mouths unless paid handsomely in advance are now twittering endlessly. The charm of the television is too strong for them to ignore.


The public debates in the media are extremely educational. They have broadened the knowledge of people in constitutional and political matters. Moreover, it keeps them abreast with the latest 'breaking' news. People now know more about 1973 Constitution than ever before. They hear contrasting views which help them to form their own opinion. Sometimes they get confused listening to drastically opposite views, but that is the beauty of democracy. Despite the shouting matches that some participants of talk shows indulge in, television has proved to be an excellent tutor in imparting principles of tolerance and democratic debates.


What will happen next? What is the future of President Zardari following the NRO judgement? Are we heading towards a clash of the titans, that is, the executive and judiciary? Or will it be truckloads of soldiers piloted by a jeep? I think the imagination of the some TV show hosts has run wild. Many of them are merely doing wishful thinking. President Zardari is not going to go just because of wishful thinking. He has repeatedly said that he will not go down meekly, but will crush the conspiracies against him because he has the people's mandate. So far President Zardari has mentioned only one conspiracy, which is being hatched by 'pen' and 'bayonet' together.

The Information Minister Mr Kaira has mentioned that apparently some journalists have waged a war against the government targeting President Zardari. He revealed that the libel law will be tightened in this regard. The media should get ready to face the tightening of the screw.


The problems being faced by President Zardari are many but not insoluble. In fact, the solution is in his hands. The source of his troubles does not emanate from the NRO, that is, whether it is dead or alive. It springs from his decision to be the President of Pakistan as well as co-chairman of the PPP. These two positions, when occupied by the same person, are incompatible. They are legally offensive and repugnant to the constitution. Moreover, he is encroaching upon the domain of the prime minister thus reducing Gilani to a figurehead, a position which the constitution bestows on the president. Zardari proclaims loudly that politically he takes sides with the PPP, which does not endear him to the others. He should not complain when he is criticised on this account. Prime Minister Gilani, on the other hand, is very careful in discharging his duties. He, of course, belongs to the PPP but that does not mean that he only serves the party. As prime minister, he serves all people.

President Zardari needs political peace badly. Political peace would guarantee the elimination of terrorism from Pakistan and its western borders. The Americans would also become less demanding. What is Mr Zardari required to do to achieve this goal? He must choose one of the two: being president or head of the PPP. In a few months, when he completes two years as president, he will be eligible for pension. As a pensioner, he will have to wait for two years to join politics. Then he will no longer remain the head of the party unless the law is changed.