NEW YORK - President Asif Ali Zardari, who is portrayed as a key partner for the US in its Afghan war effort and a valuable ally in Pakistan, is 'battling for political survival, The Los Angeles Times reported on Saturday. 'Just 15 months into his term, President Asif Ali Zardari is withering under pressure from the countrys military, Opposition parties and vocal media critics, the newspaper said in a dispatch from Pakistan. 'Zardari has proved a reliable US partner, even on actions that are unpopular with the Pakistani public, such as the CIAs campaign of airstrikes targeting al Qaeda leaders and the Taliban in the Tribal Areas along the border with Afghanistan, the paper added. Citing analysts, the dispatch said if Zardari loses a measure of control over foreign and defence issues, the winner is likely to be the Pakistani military, which has a long history of tense relations with Washington. Stating that Zardari already has ceded several of his most important powers, including the chairmanship of the agency that oversees Pakistans nuclear arsenal, to Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, the Times said he plans this month to give up authority to dissolve Parliament, dismiss the Prime Minister and appoint military chiefs, leaving him little more than a figurehead. 'Even that may not be enough for some of his critics, who want him tried on corruption charges from the late 1980s, when he served in the Cabinet of PM Benazir Bhutto, his wife, who was slain two years ago. Though never convicted, he was imprisoned from 1990 to 93 and 1997 to 2004 in cases that he has contended were politically motivated, the paper said. Although shielded by immunity from prosecution, the dispatch said the Supreme Court could decide that he was ineligible for election as President and therefore can be tried. One of the charges against him alleges that he misappropriated $1.5 billion, it said. The timing of Zardaris political woes could prove troublesome for President Barack Obama, who last week ordered 30,000 troops to deal with the rising Taliban insurgency, it added. 'The US leaders decision to set a deadline of July 2011 to start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan has many Pakistanis worried that the United States will leave its war-racked Western neighbour before ensuring its security-the same step the US was accused of taking after the Soviet Union pulled out of Afghanistan 20 years ago, it said. Pointing out that US cannot send troops to Pakistan because of strong opposition in Pakistan, the dispatch said Obama has increased the number of CIA drone strikes in the countrys Tribal Areas, with tacit approval of Zardaris administration. Zardari also supported language in a five-year, $7.5-billion U.S. aid package to Pakistan that called for civilian oversight of the Pakistani military, the Times said. 'The Obama administration would prefer to work with a civilian government that oversees the military, rather than one run by military men, such as Zardaris predecessor, former Gen. Pervez Musharraf, it said. 'But as a result of Zardaris political troubles, the military establishment could end up wielding far more control over the countrys affairs, particularly foreign policy. Gilani, who is assuming the executive powers Zardari is relinquishing, is regarded as being closer to the military than Zardari is, the report said, citing analysts. The Prime Minister has not shied away from criticising the US, the report pointed out. The day before Obama announced his new Afghan plan last week, Gilani spoke out against the decision to send more troops to Afghanistan. He said it would send Afghan Taliban fighters across the border and complicate the Pakistani militarys fight with them, the paper added. 'Gilani is seen as being more respectful of the viewpoint of the military establishment and of Pakistans own security needs, Rasul Bakhsh Rais, a Lahore-based political analyst, was quoted as saying. The Pakistani military has always been wary of Zardaris close relationship with Washington, the dispatch said. 'The Americans think they have found another ally in Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, the Army chief who launched major operations against militants this year in the Swat Valley and the volatile South Waziristan region. The paper further said that the United States remains troubled by the Pakistani militarys fixation on neighbour India as its primary enemy, even as the Taliban and its allies unleash nearly daily attacks across the country. 'If Zardari goes and theres a political shake-up here, it will have serious ramifications, Ahmed Rashid, a security analyst was quoted as saying. 'What it would signify is that the military would be in almost total control at least of foreign policy towards India and Afghanistan. And I dont think thats such a good idea. 'Zardari doesnt have the public on his side in his latest political battle. He is deeply unpopular. Most Pakistanis view him as corrupt, and they blame him for economic troubles such as widespread poverty and frequent electricity shutdowns, according to the report.