A copy of the Holy Qura’an, lying in the bedroom of Asif Ali Zardari was brought and given to Nawaz Sharif. “Let’s take an oath on the Qura’an this time that I will fulfil all my promises,” Zardari offered to convince Sharif.
A taken-aback but hesitant Sharif told Zardari, “I don’t want to swear on the Qura’an for political objectives but I would expect that all promises would be fulfilled.” Despite what Sharif said the Holy Qura’an was placed on the centre table lying between the two leaders, as guarantor, and an agreement was penned. Each leaf of the seven-page, hand-written agreement was signed separately both by Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif.
It was agreed in that written pledge that Musharraf would be impeached, and the judges would be restored according to the Murree Accord immediately after Musharraf’s ouster, and the decision for the next presidential candidate would jointly be taken by Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif. This joint presidential candidate would be a non-controversial, non-political candidate from a smaller province.
This first agreement, made in the presence of the Holy Book, formed the basis of the second, two-page neatly typed agreement which was again signed by the two leaders on August 7, 2008.
The changes between the first accord, guaranteed by the Holy Qura’an, and the second typed version were that the words “or if he resigns” were added after the word “impeached”, and instead of “immediately” words “within 24 hours” were added and instead of “Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif” the words “coalition partners” were added.
The quick nomination of Zardari for the president by the PPP CEC and the fixing of Sept 6 as presidential election date confirmed the hunch that the PPP is no mood to restore the judges before the oath-taking of the new president who, most probably, would be Zardari although the CEC has left it to the sweet will of the co-chairman to accept or reject it.
Zardari’s nomination has generated a stir among the political, social, bureaucratic, and security circles of the capital. It would be for the first time that a single person would run the state, the government and all its organs, as well as the country’s biggest political party.
If elected, president Asif Ali Zardari will also be Chairman National Security Council, who will be armed with the authority to appoint the Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, provincial governors, Chief Election Commissioner, Attorney General, and the powers to dissolve the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies under Article 58-2(b).
Compared to Musharraf, Zardari as president will be much more powerful as he will also control Pakistan’s biggest political party bequeathed to him by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto along with all her political and monetary assets.
After having a hand-picked, “yes” prime minister, compliant judiciary, presidential powers under 17th Amendment and the biggest political party which would wait for his nod for any action, Zardari is set to become more powerful than Musharraf or any politician in Pakistan would ever have dreamt of.