Asif Ali Zardari is the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, the former chairwoman of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Bhutto had returned from a self-imposed exile in Dubai, United Arab Emirates which lasted for eight years. The exile started when current Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who was in charge of the military staged a bloodless coup.
Nawaz Sharif was in power during the time of the coup. Sharif himself went into self-exile. Back in October of 2007, both Bhutto and Sharif had returned from their self-imposed exile to take part in elections. Musharraf was reelected into office. Before that, he has resigned as the head of the army. Since the coup, Musharraf has been both the president and the head of Pakistan’s army.
On December 27, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. Though the assassination has been blamed on the Taliban leader in Pakistan, Baitullah Mehsud, many have also directed blame to Musharraf. The January elections were postponed until February due to the nationwide violence and chaos that spread throughout Pakistan.
Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, a commander of Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility. It has been known that Al-Qaeda has been trying to get rid of Bhutto for many years.
Zardari along with their son, Bilawal, both became co-chairmen of the PPP.
In the wake of the 2007 state of emergency, Bhutto’s assassination, the chaos, and the unwillingness to cooperate with the international community, the popularity of President Musharraf had sunk downwards. In the February parliamentary elections, Musharraf’s PML-M party was dealt a devastating defeat.
Recently, both Zardari and Sharif have agreed to a new coalition.
In regards to Pakistan and the new National Assembly, Zardari writes that he thought the price for it was a terrible one. He talks about how many people were imprisoned where they were beaten and tortured. Zardari also notes that he had thought of undermining the Pakistani society when he thought of those that had their reputations attacked.
He said that this was a day of triumph for his late wife, Benazir Bhutto, whose full name is Shaheed Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto. Zardari said that this was the day that his wife had been waiting for. In regards to his wife, Zardari said that she sacrificed her life for her beliefs. While Bhutto is no longer alive, the day she waited for had finally come.
Zardari explains that with the new coalition between the PPP and the PML-N, there will be a democracy and a liberal government in Pakistan. He explains that one of the PPP members will emerge as Pakistan’s new Prime Minister. The announcement will come soon.
There have been talks under the new coalition, Musharraf could be impeached. So far, the United States has urged the new coalition to work with Musharraf. Musharraf is considered a key ally to the United States in the war on terror.
Zardari said that Pakistan will have a brighter future.
Zardari continues in his commentary by talking about personal destruction and dictatorship. He was quick to attack President Musharraf. In this regard, Zardari blames Musharraf for the destruction caused by Islamic extremists. He faults Musharraf for allowing extremism to grow and thrive along the border with Afghanistan.
It is believed that Al-Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden is hiding along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Before the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Osama Bin Laden has been under Taliban protection. Bin Laden had been hiding out in the caves which were attacked by US-led bombing raids.
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