The Zardari-Kayani Tussle?

General Pasha assigned to bring Presidency, GHQ closer
The News, January 18, 2010
By Rauf Klasra

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani is said to have quietly asked DG ISI Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha to play a role in bringing the military establishment and the Presidency on one table and remove their widening differences, which are now even threatening the whole system, particularly after a new potential row with the judiciary, which erupted last week over the appointments of judges to the Supreme Court.

The sources said PM Gilani had decided to involve the DG ISI to bring the otherwise volatile political situation under control, particularly after the government decided to move the Supreme Court to review its verdict on the NRO as President Asif Zardari gave a clear indication that he would not make the latest appointments on the recommendation of CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. But one official source claimed that all this was just a coincidence and the role of DG ISI had nothing to do with the NRO or appointments to the SC.

The sources said Pasha was asked to play his role in defusing the tension in the relationship between the Presidency and the military establishment during a last week meeting at the PM House.

A top-level source said that a couple of important federal ministers might also be involved in this new firefighting exercise as General Pasha, who enjoyed great respect at the PM House, would start his efforts from Monday onward.

For complete article, click here
Related - For Background:
Gilani, Mukhtar to mediate between Zardari, Kayani - The News
An Embattled Zardari Hits Back - New York Times
President’s Dec 27 speech stirs new debate  - Dawn
Editorial: Zardari’s revelation - Daily Times
No plot against Zardari: Nawaz Sharif - The News
PPP-PML-N rift may jeopardize democracy: Aitzaz - Geo Tv