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.
A point of law – the president has to be a person who is eligible to be in parliament (and, additionally, be a muslim with a higher age limit). so:
1. the religion rule will have to be changed for a non-muslim to be elected president.
2. zardari will have to become a graduate.
3. both the proposed justices claim still to be in office, so continue to be civil servants. even if their service is considered terminated from 03 november 2007, they have to wait for 2 years before becoming a candidate for presidency.
4. nawaz will have to have the hijacking conviction against him quashed one way or the other (reversed or declared devoid of any legal standing.)
5. imran or aitizaz would make good presidents.
a president from a minority idea is good. any reference to a citizen’s religion in matters of state is of course completely contrary to jinnah’s vision as expressed on 11 august 1947.
there can be no democracy while 58.2.b. is there.
I think Aitzaz Ahsan would work really well in this role. Amin Fahim should be PM and Aitzaz should be President. This is certainly possible if Musharraf vacates or is kicked out.
I am for amending the constitution to let minorities in.
Justice Bhagwan Das is excellent choice but he has to be out of office for 2 years before he canbe eligible.
Justice Wajihuddin will be great President.
Justice Wajihuddin – the great man!
I want to second Paolee’s suggestion.
Justice Bhagwan Das WOUDL be an excellent choice. And not just because he is from a minority group but because he has proved his democratic credentials and stand for principles.