Masti Point

Once again President Zardari has failed to live up to the expectations of the people. While there were those who were vociferously demanding his resignation over his flailing health, there were others who were rest assured of his self exile. Alas, the sturdy President proved all wrong and returned home.

Like his departure, the return was no less dramatic. Rumour mill was churning out news about his return from late Sunday afternoon but no official word confirmed. Then, in the wee hours of Monday, when people were dreaming of a better Pakistan without Asif Zardari, a plane landed in the outskirts of Karachi carrying the King and his trusted men. A heart breaker indeed.

Media with flashing lights, noisy anchors and know-it-all reporters awaited his arrival at his residence. Once more the wily President chose to ditch the anxious media men and used the back door to make an entry to his abode. No wonder, his critics bestow upon him all the obnoxious titles.

Come Monday morning and he was seen posing for the state television and starting an array of political meetings. His snazzy smile and gleaming eyes must have sent shudders into the enemy camp. I’m sure anybody who spends a week or two outside Pakistan would feel the same as AAZ.

Rejuvenated and recuperated, President looks all set to defend his bastion. Things haven’t changed much since he left for treatment abroad. Or have they? Pundits are associating the meeting of the Premier and Army Chief and their subsequent phone call to the President with this sudden arrival.

Zardari till now was accredited to defacing all other mainstream political parties through what I call his neo-Machiavellian style politics. But the shrewd President, this time has managed to drag the Army out in this political morass. ISPR might deny the veracity of the presumption but something seems to be brewing in the background.

What is surprising though is the arrival of AAZ in Karachi? What makes him stay away from Islamabad? Does he not want to pose for camera alongside the Army Chief and end all the hoopla about the rift? Or does he want the latter to come all the way to his private residence and inquire about his recovery? Now this would be a great morale booster.

Zardari’s departure has certainly proved to be beneficial for everyone. His son and heir Bilawal made his political debut holding over the reins of party in his father’s absence. More so, attendees to mosques and the intensity of prayers increased manifold, as people reverted to their creator while AAZ underwent treatment. Whatever the reason, he did manage to invoke faith back into the nation that things might get better. Wishful thinking, I guess.

Too many controversies at one time have definitely helped the government inch towards the impending Senate elections. NATO attack, memo scandal and AAZ’s departure all added to the ensuing confusion which might ultimately give PPP a chance to clean sweep the upper house.

‘Aik Zardari sub par bhari’ (Zardari alone enough for everyone) seemed an insinuation if not an abomination when the slogan first appeared on banners and wall chalking but during these almost 4 years one help not agree with the foresightedness of the man who coined the slogan.