"Zardari's victory would be disastrous for the country," stated a senior member of the establishment on condition of anonymity. "The concentration of power in one hand would be as complete as during Musharraf's dictatorship with the 17th amendment in place, and an obedient prime minister."
Zardari's penchant for dismissing signed deals as 'not sacrosanct' or 'Hadith' or 'Quran' have left many wondering if his credibility can ever be restored. His past record and the clean slate gifted to him through Musharraf's National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) have raised more questions than abated concerns about his honesty.
The security officials also point out that he is the first candidate for the presidency against whom "go Zaradri go" slogans are being hurled prior to the election. These concerns have led the national security establishment to put its full weight behind the presidential candidate proposed by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), former chief justice Siddiqui; and they are committed to defeating Co Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari.
The establishment had geared up its activities and was asking the Pakistan Muslim League-Q to extend its support to PML-N candidate former justice Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui for his election to the presidential slot, the sources said. The sources added that the present dialogue between the two splinter groups of Pakistan Muslim League would ultimately lead to a merger of these two parties with former justice Siddiqui emerging as a consensus candidate. However, even if PML (N) and PML (Q) field one candidate, they would have 290 electoral votes, which were not adequate.
The MNAs and Senators from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) held a meeting with Mian Nawaz Sharif and have assured him of their full support for his party's presidential candidate, after their dialogue failed with the PPP leadership.
The Fata legislators had demanded of the government to stop the air raids and military operation in tribal areas immediately, which was not possible for the PPP led government. Independents would also be coerced into supporting former chief justice Siddiqui, sources added. This would give a grand total of 348, which would be a tie if Asif Zardari gets the PPP, MQM, ANP and JUI (F).
Sources also informed Business Recorder that the JUI (F) would also be siding with Nawaz Sharif. Maulana Fazlur Rehman will give the government's refusal to arrest the operation in the Fata as the reason for his withdrawal of support.
A meeting between Mushahid Hussain Syed, presidential candidate of PML-Q, was expected with PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif next week after which he would withdraw his nomination in favour of former justice Siddiqui, they said, adding that this would be a big blow to Asif Zardari. The sources said that the combination of PML-N, PML-Q, Fata MNAs and Senators, independents and JUI (F) would prove a winning combination in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for September 6.