Military unlikely to pressurise new President

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - President-elect Asif Ali Zardari is unlikely to have the country’s powerful military breathing down his neck as did his slain wife during two stormy stints in power, analysts said. Zardari was overwhelmingly elected Saturday in a secret ballot of lawmakers, capping a remarkable rise from jail, exile and his wife Benazir Bhutto’s assassination just nine months ago.

The military that has ruled Pakistan for around half its 61-year existence, most recently under former general Pervez Musharraf, remains a potent force. But analysts said Zardari’s civilian rule would not be impeded as long as he did not interfere or challenge military doctrine.

“The army has decided to coexist with the present political realities and leadership,” Talat Masood, a retired general and military analyst, told AFP.

“They realise any meddling in politics will be very much misunderstood and will not be helpful to their own institution and interest in the country.”

The military was involved in terminating both Bhutto governments, in 1990 and 1996.