ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari stepped down Sunday, winning praise for completing a full five-year term but attracting criticism for leaving a country mired in economic and security strife.
Zardari became the first democratically elected president in the country’s history to complete his full term in office. His other major accomplishments include transferring power in democratic elections in a country plagued by military coups.
The 58-year-old widower of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was treated to an honour guard from the armed forces and shook hands with staff before leaving the plush presidential palace.
He was driven away in a black luxury saloon car from the sprawling residence at the foot of the lush green Margalla Hills on the outskirts of Islamabad.
Never popular and always shrouded in controversy, Zardari - once jailed for 11 years for alleged corruption - is now likely to split his time between Pakistan and Dubai.
He retires six years after his wife’s murder, having presided over the only civilian government in Pakistan to complete a full term in office and hand over to another at the ballot box.
Zardari became first head of state to leave presidency ceremoniously after completing his allocated five years in office. He took office in Sept 2008 after former military dictator general (retd) Pervez Musharraf resigned facing the threat of impeachment. Zardari announced not to contest for the second term after his party lost general elections in May this year.
Complete term of Asif Ali Zardari is marred by controversies and political cataclysms. During most of his term, he remained engaged with an intimidating judiciary and a powerful army. It was believed that Zardari will never return to office succumbing to pressure from army and judiciary when Memogate scandal broke out. This scandal was all about a purported letter written by Pakistan’s envoy in Washington to US authorities seeking help against army top brass. Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington and a close ally of Zardari lost his post in Washington, while President suffered nervous breakdown and was admitted to a Dubai hospital where he spent several days.
Relations between Zardari and army fell to their bottom ebb after US Navy SEALS carried out Abbottabad operation to eliminate Osama bin Laden. It was believed (from the contours of Memogate) that President Zardari knew about American plans and played his role in facilitations.
Money laundering cases registered during second tenure of Mian Nawaz Sharif continued to haunt him throughout his tenure. The Supreme Court constantly pursued government to get the cases reactivated by writing a letter to Swiss authorities in this regard. Yousaf Raza Gilani had to relinquish premiership for not complying with the court orders.
Zardari said on Saturday that he has no ambitions to run for any political office in future. He further added that he will reorganise Pakistan People’s Party after stepping out of office.
Analysts count his government’s completion of a full term in a hostile political environment to his credit, as well as his strong stance against militancy. However, economic mismanagement and a failure to tackle the country’s energy crisis hurt Zardari’s popularity, they say.
Zardari, who later arrived at his newly-built villa in Lahore, told party workers that he would further strengthen democracy by re-organising his party. “I want to set up new traditions. We have strengthened democracy, we have empowered women by appointing them as speaker and the foreign minister. We will further strengthen democracy by cooperating with our opponents,” he said.
Zardari said his party was still taking the “war for democracy” ahead. “Our mandate was stolen by the forces which want to destabilise Pakistan. But we accepted that mandate to strengthen democracy. We did not lose the war but have taken it ahead for the cause of democracy,” he said.
He also pledged support for Nawaz Sharif in the battle for democracy. “I want to tell Nawaz Sharif, we will not let you weaken. We will fight shoulder to shoulder with you against the forces which want politics of gun instead of the politics of ballot.”
Asif Ali Zardari’s successor Mamnoon Hussain is to be sworn in on Monday (today).
A businessman and close ally of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Hussain’s low-key persona and lack of personal power base will put him in stark contrast to Zardari.
Aides deny that Zardari, unpopular and divisive within the PPP, will spend most of his time abroad and insist he will concentrate on trying to revive the centre-left party.
The PPP ran a rudderless general election campaign and has been thrust into its greatest crisis, suffering a crushing electoral defeat without a Bhutto at its helm.
Zardari had paid very heavy price by running PPP rudderless and his stupid mantra of reconciliation caused his government ineffective on many important issues. His party lost elections miserably. But then perhaps he had no choice, either resign or run the government according to some unwritten plan designed by those who had absolute power.
A great day for the country as they have finally got rid of the biggest corrupt, inefficient and incompetent president. Hopefully he will be held to account for all the corruption he has done and for his palaces in England and France. He will now be taking over the reins of PPP again which were bestowed on him through that great "will".
Party which promises 'Roti, kapra & makan' may well be back in power to rule 'Hum Zinda Qaum Hain' when its latest prodigy / talent is likely to contest in the next elections ...Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
I must give credit where its due, I had feared that Zardari will use his powers to extend PPP's rule which didn't happen. I had feared that Zardari will dissolve assembly using any of the crisis (like ISI/memo scandal/letter to swiss etc) and attempt to extend his time which didn't happen. So thank you Zardari for not being as evil as I thought you were.
Other than that I really wish one day he faces justice in this world to send a message to all the crooks/corrupts that justice will have the last laugh.
He did a good job building back his public image, making media forget about his past crimes, and the opposition allowed him to do that, as the opposition wanted to accomplish the same for themselves. Shameful for the judiciary, that they allowed him to continue despite nullifying the NRO.
kitni jaldi bhool gaye yaa kitni jaldi media aur friendly opposition ne 'awaam ko bhulvaa diyaa is shaKhs kii Haraam_KhoriyaaN, bad_'onvaaniyaaN aur bad_numaaiyaaN...chalo bhai, nayaa daur shur'uu karte haiN noch khasoT kaa:
'awaam ke aaNsuuoN se dhul dhulaa ke ab sab paak ho gaye!!!
Mulla chor baanga gawah !
Sarko ki siyasat hm ni krein gay ;)
jis trh tm ne hamein puri hakoomt krne di , hm b tmhein tang ni krein gay ;)
Zardari to Nawaz :p
We'll miss u Zardari :(
Dunya chahe kch b kahey :p
Mulla chor baanga gawah !
Sarko ki siyasat hm ni krein gay ;)
jis trh tm ne hamein puri hakoomt krne di , hm b tmhein tang ni krein gay ;)
Zardari to Nawaz :p
We'll miss u Zardari :(
Dunya chahe kch b kahey :p
Zardari had paid very heavy price by running PPP rudderless and his stupid mantra of reconciliation caused his government ineffective on many important issues.
I think Zardari had no choice. When he took over the country was on verge of being torn apart & the Taliban were in control of most of the north west & were planing to takeover Islamabad. 5 years on suicidal terrorism is down, he passed number of laws/reforms & kept economy floating & the government together with fractious coalition. I think that in itself is an achievement.
Another thing about Zardari (that no one gives him credit for) is that he is a Pakistani nationalist (unlike his son who is a Sindihi nationalist) & after death of BB when Sindhi's were chanting Pakistan "nakhappay" he stood up and said such language will not be tolerated.
I think Zardari had no choice. When he took over the country was on verge of being torn apart & the Taliban were in control of most of the north west & were planing to takeover Islamabad. 5 years on suicidal terrorism is down, he passed number of laws/reforms & kept economy floating & the government together with fractious coalition. I think that in itself is an achievement.
Another thing about Zardari (that no one gives him credit for) is that he is a Pakistani nationalist (unlike his son who is a Sindihi nationalist) & after death of BB when Sindhi's were chanting Pakistan "nakhappay" he stood up and said such language will not be tolerated.
People are reluctant or very much biased against him. No one here is accepting any good work done by him. Read the remarks of most senior administrator of this forum against him. Some one even gone to courts to block his travel out from Pakistan. According to corruption scandals, I understand that NS is as chor as he is, most people ignore NS but he has always been subject of hatred and ridicule. He spent 11 years in jail, none of the politician of Pakistan had ever that much time in jail. No case was proven. The CJ did all his efforts to destroy him and PPP government in the last five years, people were very happy with this CJ till he issued contempt notice to IK. Why there is so much hatred against this person? You tell me.
People are reluctant or very much biased against him. No one here is accepting any good work done by him. Read the remarks of most senior administrator of this forum against him. Some one even gone to courts to block his travel out from Pakistan. According to corruption scandals, I understand that NS is as chor as he is, most people ignore NS but he has always been subject of hatred and ridicule. He spent 11 years in jail, none of the politician of Pakistan had ever that much time in jail. No case was proven. The CJ did all his efforts to destroy him and PPP government in the last five years, people were very happy with this CJ till he issued contempt notice to IK. Why there is so much hatred against this person? You tell me.
The most senior administrator is pro Bhutto, I am sure you'd have noticed that as well. People hate Zardari for what he is.
The most senior administrator is pro Bhutto, I am sure you'd have noticed that as well. People hate Zardari for what he is.
True that as I have had arguments with him to at least see the downsides of jeay bhutto but he never can admit it.
As far as zardari and PPP, they wouldn't have needed an NRO if daal may kuch kala na hota. Pakistan lost a great chance in prosecuting the swiss cases because of Musharraf's NRO and he rightly paid for it by his presidency.
