Asif Ali Zardari - Pakistan’s Emperor-In-Waiting

Who would have imagined that Musharraf would ever let his sworn enemies return to Pakistan and they would be embraced by Pakistani populace as their saviors.

Well when a nation and its rulers become puppets of foreign beneficiaries, may those be a king or a superpower, you have no choice. As one of you wrote recently, Pakistanis first long for a "new" leader and then can't wait to see him fall on his face. Unfortunately it is true but mostly because the power gets to his or her head and wants to stay as an emperor for life.

In the 1950's I was young college lecturer when Pakistan's prime ministers would change faster than the seasonal climate, we used to wonder why the military was watching this "tamasha" and doing nothing. Perhaps General Ayub was listening and he took over the country (promoted himself to a field marshal) only to destroy all political institutions and took over the entire media.

It was ironic that just when he was celebrating his "Decade of Development," people marched on the street against his rule-myself included. He resigned in shame and handed over the reigns to General Yahya who is held responsible for loosing East Pakistan, though, Z.A. Bhutto had a hand in it.

In 1977when I was working in Kenya I heard a live speech on the radio by Mr. Bhutto who was addressing Pakistan's National Assembly. He was ridiculing members of the Assembly by name and was challenging if anyone but him who can rule this country. As we all know he was behind bars soon after. General Zia took over and promised in a live address on PTV that he will hold elections within 90 days and army will go back to its barracks. He changed his mind and enjoyed being an emperor and groomed his son to succeed him just as General Ayub tried to groom his son. To this day we do not know which foreign power disliked him more to blow him up in the air. I believe of all the military dictators he was the worst whose reign will be remembered for introducing the Kalishnikoff culture in Pakistan.

I had left Pakistan in 1970 and do not know the history of Pakistan personally with the exception of what I read and heard. All I know is that after Zia the politicians played musical chairs, cared less about the "independence of Judiciary," freedom of the press or welfare of the common man. They were too busy in prosecuting each other and amassing wealth. So when General Musharraf dethroned Nawaz Sharif, he put him in a cell and would have hanged him if it were not for the Saudi King's intervention.

While her husband was under trial for corruption and murder (under Sharif Brothers' reign) Benazir Bhutto was living high life all over the planet until she sold her solution for Pakistan's salvation to Condoleezza Rice, our Secretary of State. She thought she would let Musharraf stay as a nominal emperor until such time that she became strong enough to kick him out and reclaimed the throne. Now her assassination is a mystery just as to this day we do not know who killed Pakistan's first Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan.

Many of you must have watched Hamid Mir's interview with the emperor-in-waiting Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, He told him as he did in his interview with Nasim Zohra that it is time for Musharraf to step aside and make room for someone else-meaning him. So this is the short history of Pakistan which is rather tragic. Pakistan from day one was taken over by feudal lords,nawaabs, pirs, and jagirdars.

Over time industrialists and business tycoon, and the bureaucrats joined them. So why military should have been left behind. In fact military ruled far longer than the politician. So what are we celebrating Pakistan 61st Independence day the 14th August for?

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