Where does the centre of power lie in Pakistan today – with the Presidency or Army Headquarters?
Centre of power is always with the government. It’s a misperception that army keeps dictating terms to the government. The army does everything that the government tells them to do. It’s only when Pakistan is at stake and Pakistan is suffering, then only (the) army comes in and tries to moderate or improve the situation. President Zardari’s position is fragile? At this moment, politically, indeed yes. To what extent is his position weakened or diminished by the fact that increasingly people in Pakistan see the Prime Minister as a rival centre of power? I would not like to comment on it. They have the Prime Minister and the President from the same party and I am not involved in their private differences. What about the rivalry between Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif? Given that Pakistan’s democracy is still fledgeling, is this a sign of health or is this rivalry a cause of concern? I think there is confusion alright, whether they are in opposition, whether the PML (N) is in opposition or
