Benazir acutely aware of failing political fortunes: Editorial

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto appears to be acutely aware about her partys prospects sliding down in Pakistan in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling in favour of Nawaz Sharif.

Islamabad, Aug.27 : Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto appears to be acutely aware about her party's prospects sliding down in Pakistan in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling in favour of Nawaz Sharif.

According to a Daily Times editorial, Bhutto's so-called deal with the Musharraf regime has made her look "soft" and "compromised" in comparison to Sharif.

Rumours are afloat that in case the Supreme Court debars Musharraf by ruling on the "constitutionality" of the 17th amendment, Musharraf reserves the right to impose Emergency or even Martial Law.

According to the editorial, rumours point to the possibility of this "message" having been passed on to the persons concerned.

Meanwhile, former Lahore High Court judge and Pakistan Attorney General Malik Abdul Qayyum, has arrived in Saudi Arabia to get the Saudi authorities to stop Sharif and his family from returning to Pakistan.

Justice (retired) Qayyum's failure to produce the original document of Sharif's "undertaking" to stay away from Pakistan for ten years before the Supreme Court; might have lost its leverage with Riyadh.

It now seems that the true document is in Lebanon where the Hariri family is being contacted.

The editorial says that in a meeting with the PML leadership, Musharraf has reportedly said that the Saudis are angry at Sharif and his conduct.

"He could be right because he was last in Saudi Arabia recently and might have felt that the Saudis were not happy with Mr Sharif," the editorial says.

But it also says that the Pakistan Supreme Court's verdict, could have changed the Saudi mind.

Sharif is under pressure from the popular wave in favour of his APDM. He is in fact the top leader of Punjab in the eyes of the people who want to see him as the next prime minister.

Will Mr Sharif take the plunge? This is the question he has been avoiding for the last seven years.

"He has been steadily announcing his "imminent" return but has stayed away, especially after the "experimental" return of his brother Mr Shahbaz Sharif which proved abortive and did not evoke much public response despite the efforts of the PMLN rank and file."

Sharif has not been very forthcoming on his relationship with the Saudis after claiming that his "deal" was with them and not with General Musharraf.

ANI