Zardari to be PM, father Prez? BY MUHAMMAD NAJEEB

Dec. 29: There could be more political churning in the offing in Pakistan with President Asif Ali Zardari likely to replace Yousaf Raza Gilani as Prime Minister and transferring all presidential powers to the Prime Minister by annulling the constitutional amendments former military dictator Pervez Musharraf had effected, a senior member of the ruling coalition says. The politician said that Mr Zardari has taken this decision after a sustained campaign by some members of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that he has failed to implement what is being described as assassinated party chief Benazir Bhutto’s political will.

The PPP leader, requesting anonymity, said that Mr Zardari is likely to install his father Hakim Ali Zardari or some low profile PPP sympathiser as President to avoid any controversy.

"Within the PPP, there are people who convinced Zardari to become Prime Minister and install his father as President," said the leading politician, adding that if a mother. daughter duo can be PM and Pre-sident in Sri Lanka and brothers could be PM and chief minister in Pakistan, a father-son duo could also occupy the top positions in this country.

Though PPP leaders officially deny any rift between Mr Zardari and Mr Gilani, insiders say that differences have reached the breaking point. "Gilani has plainly refused to obey Zardari’s orders, saying everything would be done on merit," said another party leader.