The Pakistan Army is fed up with President Asif Ali Zardari and wants him out of office, but through legal means and without a repeat of the coups that are a hallmark of the country’s 64 years of independence, military sources said.
Tensions are rising between Pakistan’s civilian leaders and its generals over a memo that accused the army of plotting a coup after the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May.
“Who isn’t fed up with Zardari? It’s not just the opposition and the man on the street but people within the government too,” said one military source who asked not to be named. “But there has to be a proper way. No action is being planned by the army. Even if we tried, it would be very unpopular and not just with the government and the opposition but most Pakistanis too.” The Pakistani military spokesman declined comment.
The military, which determines security and foreign policy, dismisses any suggestion that it might stage a coup but analysts say intervention could not be ruled out in the event of chaos. In the past the army has asked Pakistani civilian leaders to resign and influenced judicial proceedings against them.
At one point, army chief General Ashfaq Kayani hinted to the US ambassador to Islamabad that he might have to persuade Zardari to step down because of political turmoil, according to a 2009 cable released by WikiLeaks. But luckily for Zardari, it seemed the army concluded he was a better option than other leaders it distrusted even more.
Saudi Arabia, which has considerable influence in Pakistan because of its economic support, has expressed concern over the friction between the army and the government. “Pakistan is a big and important country and it is important that any potential tensions are eliminated through diplomatic means,” a Saudi source told Reuters, requesting anonymity.
One of the military sources suggested that no direct action would be needed against the government because it had already made so many mistakes. “If the government is digging its own grave, we are not going to look for spades,” the source said. “We want anyone involved, be they in government or elsewhere, to be punished. But it is not for us to do anything. If the army moves to do anything it would have national as well as international repercussions,” said another military source. “So that is not likely. Anything that has to be done has to be done by the Supreme Court.”
Officials from Zardari’s ruling party have played down friction with the military and say they don’t fear a coup. But they fear that some judges in the increasingly aggressive SC dislike Zardari and could move against him. “I am not bothered about the army. I think they are acting very sensibly and would not derail the system at the moment,” a senior ruling party leader told Reuters. “The worry probably would be what the SC does. They look in a mood to manipulate things.”
The government’s anxiety over memogate was highlighted in comments made by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday.
Good News …..
the right way to do it , legally kill the bastards 😀
wow Army!!!
hw similar my n army's views are…
Love U Pak Army!!! <3
who da Hell is army to even think about change in Regime !
Army role is to safeguard borders , which it have miserably failed in protecting , be it be May 12 incident , Baloch insurgency , Bomb explosions , pakistan taliban , OR bengali uprising
,,
everytime Army leds us down and politicians tried to better army's image in publc and soon afterwards Army came up with Military Coup !!
sad but True !
it mean zardari ki choti
i think it ll b a gud step by army
yes they best step by army
A gud step by army spells bad direction for the country. Hundreds of examples around.
not only army but all of us wants zardari outta here! period!
ARMY AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS R UNDER GOVERNMENT. PEOPLE WILL BRING THE CHANGE NOT THE ARMY
Not Army.. But we the 18 millions also
Army has nothing to do with such matters. This is high treason. This clearly proves who has created hype about a non-issue like Memo. There is every possibility that Army created this whole thing to use against a constitutionally elected President. Shame on all who are planning such a thing!!!
do ya all really think army needs to do something to take out zardari. with 10 percent approval in polls(lol irony), you really think zardari will be reelected. Time will get rid of zardari itself.
If only these incompetent generals spent half their energies in learning to do the job for which they are paid…
fuk u
Any army action will be unpopular and there is no doubt it, but letting Mr Zardari go as a result of a deal could lead to an unprecedented backlash against the people making such a deal.
Besides Mr Zardari there are others who have served in key positions i.e. two times former PM, current leader of NAP who have amassed wealth beyond means. The later is very unpopular with the people of KP.
The bottom line is that those who have been alleged to have been involved in corrupt practices should be answerable for their actions.
The salvation of Pakistan lies bringing the corrupt to book and there must not be any compromise or adjustment on this. Thank you
Good Strategy
fascinating stance by Pak Army, i truly appreciate the efforts. furthermore, it would be even better if they focus on eastern bordr violation in the shape of drone attacks, that must not only be condemned , something must be executed as well.
who the hell gave them this right
What Stupid thinging
Not the army but maybe a general or two with dubious agenda and highly questionable patriotism
So called democracy has almost destroyed the country. Every state institution is in ruins. Is it democracy or some sort of revenge by PPP
There is a time to think together. There is a time to work together and there is a time to say good bye.
Come on the Army, we need you to get rid of this crook.
Which one, Kyani or Pasha? Or both?
Any arm action will be unpopular and there is no doubt it, but letting Mr Zardari go as a result of a deal could lead to an unprecedented backlash against the people making such a deal.
Besides Mr Zardari there are others who have served in key positions i.e. two times former PM, current leader of NAP who have amassed wealth beyond means. The later is very unpopular with the people of KP.
The bottom line is that those who have been alleged to have been involved in corrupt practices should be answerable for their actions.
The salvation of Pakistan lies bringing the corrupt to book and there must not be any compromise or adjustment on this. Thanks you
instead of wasting time on all this..why dont pakis try to learn responsibility and try to achieve something by hard work instead of begging….
Still a coconut.
We must resist this judicial martial law. It will lead this country to a disaster which no one will be able to control.
If the army wants him out, and the citizens want him out, then he must go. There are innumerable reasons worth pondering over and needless to mention them here. We all know the outcome of the PPP's governance.
It was on the GEO News Channel "Kamran Khan kay sath," that the army has obeyed the Supreme Court but Mr. Zardari to date has not replied. That in itself speaks volumes of what is going on and his obeisance to the law of the land.
Salams to Pakistan
This is not the army's demand,,it is the demand of majority,but army representing all,,as those are also defenders of Pakistan..from us not enemies..whenever someone like asif misconducts army has the inherent power to remove him, not allowed by constitution,but if supreme court orders then will be valid to kick him out alongwith his collaborators..demons group..
Mr Zardari snatched the Presidency through fake letter of inheritance, but to stay on top one need,s both substance and character. Unfortunately he lack both
Kill Her…….
are u dumb? who doesnt want him out. but i think army shouldnt interfere at all. let the people decide.
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