President Asif Ali Zardari has refused to accept Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s apology despite hectic efforts by common friends and other key personalities.
Sources said efforts to search for a replacement for Malik were underway. A distressed Malik, who has been running from pillar to post and using various channels to win back the president’s confidence, has apparently failed in his efforts.
He sought help of a common friend and a property tycoon, seeking apology from the president who flatly refused, ostensibly because his confidence in Malik had been shattered. Reports said Malik also visited the United Kingdom in his efforts to have a chance of meeting President Zardari during his recent visit there, but was unable to meet him. He also held a meeting with MQM chief Altaf Hussain and later with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and tried to use their influence, but nothing had come out of these meetings so far. Malik’s name was initially included in the entourage accompanying Zardari in his recently concluded visits to the UK, France and Turkey, but President Zardari struck down his name, replacing him with Minister of State for Interior Imtiaz Safdar Warriach.
Zardari-Malik love affair nearing its end
