Three cheers for Samad Khurram

Mr. Zardari presently is in Lahore making fiery speeches inside and outside the Governor's house strengthening Taseer's unconstitutional moves to turn the office of the governor into an instrument of a political party. Taseer is an educated person and he should know the limitations of his office. In his excessive zeal to prove his loyalty to PPP and Zardari he has crossed the line set by the constitution regarding the role and functions of governor of a province. Huge billboards displaying party leaders and tributes to Benazir and Zardari have been installed inside the governor's house. Mr. Taseer says his mission is to strengthen the PPP in the Punjab.  This, Mr. Taseer amounts to the distortion of the correct role you are expected to play as a constitutional, federal functionary in the province. Mr. Taseer also has to realize that he is not the chief executive of the province and except for his role as chancellor of the universities, he is not required to issue executive orders.

In a speech at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, Zardari promised a PPP man (possibly meaning himself) taking over the presidency. He also met Nawaz Sharif only to add to latter's disappointment regarding expeditious restoration of the removed "judges". Little about the danger hovering over the country and how USA keeps infringing the territorial sovereignty of the state and how to counter the nefarious intrusions.

Zaradri has pooh poohed the lawyers' Long March. He has hinted at a PPP long march. He says the judges would be restored at a time of "his own choosing". What hubris? A man who till yesterday was facing serious charges and who has escaped the long arm of the law through a deal the party struck with the dictator with US good offices, now holds in his hand the fate of the senior most judges of the land. He does not want an independent judiciary.  He and Musharraf cannot afford one. Independent

judges would make both uncomfortable. Though beholden to Musharraf for withdrawal of the cases and under pressure from US administration to cooperate with him,  true to himself, he is eyeing the presidency. He keeps making noises about Musharraf's irrelevance and yet is evasive about starting proceedings against him. PPP has a number of outstanding and experienced stalwarts. It is time they bestir and strive to make their contribution to raise their voice and endeavor to  save the situation.