The writing is on the wall for Pervez Musharraf. The only thing undecided is if he will go on his own volition or will he be eased out. So the question now is, who will they agree to nominate as the next President of Pakistan?
Anyone remembers Justice Rafiq Tarar? The guy who dashed off to Quetta on a government plane in the middle of the night to twist the Balochistan High Court at the behest of Abbaji. Yes, the same Rafiq Tarrar who claims he is still the President of Pakistan?
And if we are not in a mood for a flowing beard then there are other options not in any particular order.
Iftikhar Chaudhry
Zardari has reservations about restoring him to the bench and Sharif has made his restoration the cornerstone of his campaign. Both are agreed on judicial reforms, so the best compromise would be to ease him into Presidency. vakil bhee khush, quam bhee khush.
Aitezaz Ahsan
He is articulate, respected, intelligent, and in the forefront since March 09, 2007. And while Asif Zardari consolidates himself in PPPP what better way than to kick him upstairs?
Imran Khan
The poor fellow does not have a constituency, but has lots of passion and rhetoric. Him minus 58 -2(b) would be a good combination.
Asif Zardari
He is not a graduate, not a member of this assembly and needs to gain his spurs in politics after the sad assassination of Benazir Bhutto. From the top he can keep a better eye on dissent within PPPP. If he accepts, he would like to have the 58-2-(b) danda handy.
Nawaz Sharif
He is barred from becoming the Prime Minister and is not a member of this Assembly. He has been the Premier of Punjab and Prime Minister of Pakistan twice. And if he accepts the Presidency he would also like to have the 58-2-(b) around just in case.
So who is your choice?
Note: Temporal blogs at Baithak.
I hope Musharraf stays on forever. I trust this man 100 %. However all new comers should be given chance to prove themselves. Only President of Pakistan who brings money in.
Another US endorsement for Musharraf
By Anwar Iqbal
WASHINGTON, Feb 23: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has backed President Pervez Musharraf in the strongest possible term, calling him the man the United States has been dealing with as the president and wants to continue to do so.
“The president of Pakistan is Pervez Musharraf … and so, of course, we will deal with him,” said Ms Rice when asked if the US still regards him as its primary pointsman in Islamabad.
Her endorsement comes three days after President Bush telephoned his Pakistani counterpart, apparently to assure him that his administration still recognises Mr Musharraf as the president of Pakistan despite the changes that followed the elections.
A statement by White House Press Secretary Dana Perino earlier this week that it’s up to the people of Pakistan to decide who would be their president, however, had created the impression that the Bush administration is distancing itself from Mr Musharraf.
But later, the White House issued a complete transcript of her comments, which also quotes her as saying that losing seats in the parliament does not necessarily weaken a president.
“In democracies you have situations sometimes where your party loses in the parliament or in the Congress, as President Bush knows very well,” she said. “In 2006 the Republicans lost a majority in the House and the Senate. And we’ve continued to work as a strong, functioning government.”
At her briefing in Washington on Friday, Ms Rice further emphasised this point, saying that Washington had sent a message to the Pakistani leader late last year, asking him to: Lift the state of emergency, take off his uniform and guide his country towards free and fair elections. “I believe he has done exactly that.”
Pakistan is not a theocratic state and people have spoken time and again to keep the fundamentalists out of affairs of state.I believe in freedom of religion.It is not the job of President to lead the nation in prayer.He should be elected to run the affairs of state.By denying minorities their rights we will be acting like Christian Zionists.
I would love to see Justice Bhagwan Das as president but he is not eligible for 2 years since he recently retired.
However Justice Wajihuddin would be a great candidate i am sure he will work to restore minority rights.
I hope this is not taken as a fanatic rhetoric.. just bring some ‘wake-up’ normalacy to the discussion..
With all due respect to any non-muslim brothers and sisters on the post and my praise for everyon’s noble thoughts, I am actually astonished to see so many of freinds jumping on to propose Justice Bhagwan Das as a choice.
I suggest that we do not shut-off the history, geography, reality and factology of Pakistan, Muslims, Islamic system of governance and above all pre-q of khalifa/head of state for Muslims in a split of a “posting”.
Mr Justice Bhagwadas may well be close to an examplary citizen, a good soul… but so were many non-Muslims at/through the time of Prophet (PBUH) and the Caliphate… a leader of an Islamic nation/state. … (some may call khalifa/ameerul momineen etc) has to be a Muslim.. there is no two questions about it..
We can provide hope for each other and the world actually more so adopting the basic tenants of our aspirations; the real Islamic ideologies.. .. An Islamic state governed by a true aspiring Muslim leader provides a better hope for the whole world muslims and non-muslims) then not….. I think the point was well proven through history (from Muhammad (pbuh) to Salahuddin). ..
My vote would be Justice Wajeehuddin and Rana Bhagwandas as a close second. I would say Aitezaz Ahsan, but 58-b might go to his head (just kidding) :)
Guys, stop day dreaming…all indication are ….Musharraf will remain on his seat….Dont believe me…how about a bet????
I’m surprised by the people suggesting that the judges should be made president….no, rather they should be restored to their proper position. The parties who have been elected by the people should choose the next president, and the parties themselves should follow the wishes of the people who voted for them. I find it rather amusing that people who sat in their armchairs and were either apathetic or called for boycott are now vigorously making suggestions about what “should” be done….sorry guys, you threw your rights away, you have no business talking about this.
Justice Bhagwandas. If not possible for technical reasons, then Justice Ramday or Justice Wajihuddin, with Justice Bhagwandas heading the Election Commission.
I say vote EDHI. EDHI should become president! Of course he would never accept such a position. And truthfully if not EDHI, then it should be Justice BHAGWANDAS.