Benazir Bhutto, Ishaq Khan and Asif ZardariJust three months ago, Benazir Bhutto, the leader of the Opposition, was out on the streets determined to oust Nawaz Sharif's Government. But now a rapprochement between the two political rivals seems in the offing. Last month Benazir was unanimously elected chairperson of the National Assembly's Foreign Relations Committee. Her name was proposed by Saddiq Kanju, the minister of state for foreign affairs, and seconded by Shabaz Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister's younger brother. The move took observers by surprise since Nawaz and Benazir had been on the warpath till recently. But Benazir responded to Nawaz's conciliatory gesture by accepting the nomination. Soon after, her husband, Asif Zardari, was released on bail.Although Benazir denies any rapprochement with the prime minister, there is a discernible softening in her belligerent attitude towards the Government. Her sudden volte face has left the Opposition divided and her own party in disarray. "By striking a deal with the Government, Benazir Bhutto has put the party's position at stake," complained a senior PPP leader.Nawaz's decision to mend fences with his arch foe seems to be dictated by his growing rift with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan over the coming presidential election. While the 77-year-old former bureaucrat is all set to run for a second term, Nawaz is not prepared to back his former ally. "We want a new man for the presidency with whom we can work better," said a Federal minister.Relations between Ishaq Khan and Nawaz nose-dived last month after the death of General Asif Nawaz, the chief of army staff. Over the past months, serious differences had emerged between Nawaz and the late general over the army's operation in Sindh. .preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}With his death, Nawaz saw an opportunity to get a loyal general appointed to the powerful post. But to his chagrin, the President used his discretionary powers to appoint General Abdul Waheed Kakar, a professional, no-nonsense soldier, as army chief. As his relations with Ishaq Khan soured, Nawaz decided to present the olive branch to Benazir instead. Now, prime ministerial aides do not rule out the possibility of a joint government-opposition candidate for president. But Ishaq Khan refuses to bow out without a fight. He has the army's strong backing and has launched his campaign by eliciting the support of legislators from Treasury and Opposition benches.Nawaz seems to be mollifying Benazir in order to deny a second term to Ishaq Khan.The presidential election is not likely to be a straightforward contest. Frenzied political manoeuvering has begun in Islamabad. The scenario has become even more complicated with the Americans' open opposition to Ishaq Khan.The Americans do not see any hope of Pakistan rolling back its nuclear programme while Ishaq Khan - whom they call Mr Nuke - continues as president. Political observers believe US pressure played a role in ending the confrontation between Benazir and Nawaz, who the Americans feel would be more flexibile on the nuclear issue once Ishaq Khan is out of power.But the Americans' best-laid plans may yet go awry. Ishaq Khan has already put Nawaz on the defensive by creating a division within the ruling Islamic Democratic Alliance. A powerful faction of the Pakistan Muslim League led by its president, Mohammed Khan Junejo, has revolted, forcing Nawaz to fight for political survival. As the battle enters a decisive phase, the President seems poised to continue in office for another five-year term.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Mar 15, 1993--- ENDS ---
