Who are we kidding?

Zardari, as an all-powerful president, has a job on his hands and it is not evident that he is up to it, surrounded as he is by party sycophants who have been allotted jobs not on merit but on a cronyism basis.

He discovered long ago that the path to power in Pakistan lies firmly through Washington and its offshoot embassy in Islamabad. Being a novice at the game of political wrangling - his wheeling and dealing skills having been directed to other areas - he is wisely being realistic and is not uttering too much on anything, even in the earth-shaking meeting with President George Bush in New York where he was 'assisted' by seven others, most of them as clueless as he (GWB had three).

Zardari, luckily, at home has merely to deal with a politically challenged 'civil society' and awam who have little understanding of the necessary political manipulations that must take place. Having for years embraced Musharraf as a child cuddles its teddybear, when the USA felt he was shedding his fluff, he was chucked on to the floor. Zardari has become the substitute, in the same situation, playing a double game.

One thing is sure. The Americans are going to escalate, and GWB's departure is only likely to make them more determined. Last week, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, told a Senate committee that the militants who so far have been allowed to freely and dangerously exist all over FATA and its neighbouring areas are a threat for the entire country. He was very clear: "The War On Terror started in this region. It must end there." How's that for sovereignty and respect? If the Pakistan army cannot help itself and its country, then it must expect assistance from elsewhere.

The writer is a freelance columnist

E-mail: arfc@cyber.net.pk