From the Herald's 2015 archives ...
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is infamous for many things; an ‘outburst’ against the most powerful institution in the country was not one of them. So when he railed against the military establishment on June 16 at an oath-taking ceremony for PPP office-bearers in Islamabad, it came as a surprise to political analysts and smug satisfaction for his political opponents.
In a nearly 15-minute long speech, Zardari took jabs at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. He spoke against the interference of the army in politics and the character assassination of his party. “We know the country better and we know how to run its affairs,” he said. “You have been warned, you have been warned, you have been warned.”
These words and boisterous threats followed the Director General Sindh Rangers’ claims that “political leaders, civil servants and gang lords” were responsible for much of the organised crime in Karachi and a raid by the Rangers on the Sindh Building Control Authority office.
PPP members were quick to come to their leader’s defence, asking others to take the “context” of his words into consideration. More than the military, however, the speech seemed to cause offense to Zardari’s political opponents and allies in democracy. “Political suicide” optimistically declared his childhood friend Zulfiqar Mirza while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif cancelled a meeting with him. Both PMLN and PTI members were missing from the iftar dinner held by Zardari a few days after his outburst.
The only son of a second-tier nationalist politician and landowner in Sindh, Zardari’s father owned cinema halls in Karachi. “I had the opportunity of watching a lot of films and dreaming a lot,” he said in an interview in 2010. Known for his love of polo and partying, he was a regular among Karachi’s night life crowd.
He contested and lost a district council seat from Nawabshah in 1983 but his real introduction to politics came in 1987, with his marriage to Benazir Bhutto. “He was the only man who was willing to marry me,” she would say. Bhutto would go on to become Prime Minister in the general election held the following year, propelling Zardari to become one of the most powerful men in the country — and the most hated. Failures of the PPP government were blamed on his influence. It wasn’t long before he was given the title of ‘Mr 10 per cent’ — a label that has stuck since.
He also had known differences with Murtaza Bhutto and was briefly detained on charges of having a hand in his murder in 1996, which were subsequently dropped. Zardari spent many years of his life in and out of jail from 1997 till 2004 on multiple charges — some of which he is still contesting today.
Then, Zardari denied having political ambitions and outwardly remained in the shadow of his wife. A few years later, after Bhutto’s assassination, PPP swept the general elections and he was voted president of Pakistan. He successfully led the government to a complete five-year tenure – a first in Pakistan’s history – yet some feel the damage done to the party by Zardari’s brand of politics is irrevocable. Bilawal’s entry and rumours of differences with his father in recent times and subsequent sidelining haven’t helped matters. The party’s dismal performance in the May 2013 election and the local body elections is evidence of its sinking popularity.
“I know the art of war better than anyone else,” Zardari somewhat grandiosely stated in his latest speech. His choice of words could have been the result of fear or it could have been a desperate attempt at reviving a dying party into the powerful opposition voice it once was. Or perhaps both. In Zardari’s case, nothing is unplanned.
This was originally published in the Herald's July 2015 issue. To read more, subscribe to Herald's print edition.
Comments (45) Closed
Art of war? Yet his soldiers have defected and party has imploded without firing a bullet, they killed themselves.
Zardari is a weak man. He allowed gang lords to control him out of fear. He feared to stop them. He gave them the opportunity to commit crimes at will. They chased Altaf Hussain out of town as well. He is still useful in protecting them. That would be my analysis. No one was completely safe from assassination in Karachi. So long as Zardari and Hussain looked the other way they remained safe. That is why Zardari's posturing as a leader seems so false. Leaders have courage. It is missing in this man.
I would like to honourable ex President , would he explain more , either he is talking about political struggle? or some strange fight in power corridors of Pakistan for more benefits . He should organise his party and start to interact with public and start to learn on suffering of masses . I will urge him to sell his Dubai office and move to Pakistan.
Wish you also knew the art of development..
Hollow, meaningless utterances just as hollow as PPP's policies'! In political terms PPP is a 'spent' force!
By black-marketing cinema tickets and watching a lot of films and dreaming a lot does not make a man warrior, he, M. Zardari, could be a, pirate, pillager or plunderer. Having lost a district council seat from Nawabshah in 1983, Mr.10% entered in the mainstream politics through a backdoor. He has cheeks to challenge one of the best army of the world. I would label such a person as “mad man”.
I don't know about his mastery over Art of War but he has definitively perfected the art of Corruption.
Zardari sir you will never win election nor your son, you have cashed your wife Benazir's death once can not happen twice, next PM IS going to be Imran Khan or maybe somebody else defiantly not you. Your five years of government there was no development or any from small to a large project, but yes every minister in your government made money, from your PM Gilani story of Turkish PM wife' Necklace, model Ayaan's smuggling money and your 2nd PM Pervaiz Ashraf's power plants scandal, the list can go on and on.
Mr. Zardari is also known to be well versed in the Art of Corruption, Embezzlement, and Intimidation. Perhaps he should write is own book now and enlighten the rest of the world.
Once he dies, he will not be remembered. Life gave him ample opportunities to serve his people, he chose his self and that is all he will take away with him.
Try to do it in Dubai or London, what you did to Pakistan. I am sure, they'll teach you what art of war is all about, a lesson that you'll never forget for rest of your life. Note: please stay in Dubai head office, like Altaf in London head office. Thank you.
Zardari has been a citizen of Dubai since a while. He comes to Pakistan to visit his so-called feudal serfdom that has no relevance today.
Why are people repeating the speech of Zardari when Army itself has forgotten it?
Now after many years I admit Zardari is the person who has stood and suffered for democracy. And he has every right to go against military because they are responsible for derailing democracy many times. Other Politicians are all about hate and criticizing others with no solid agenda at least he worked for democracy. Can we stop brining up accusations right or wrong and presenting him as playboy landlord just to write some spicy article? This is going on for the last thirty years and most of the people are tired now.
There is no doubt about this specific quality.One may have lots of difference on various issues with Mr. Zardari but his calmness and quality of resolving issues is established.
Dynamics in politics especially in Pakistan were changed according to wishes of establishment including army. Zardari was right he know art of war and army interference in politics is not acceptable. Rangers should take action against every criminal but they should not blame political parties for crimes. What Rangers were doing since they were called to take control law and order situation in Karachi. All the DG rangers should be punished for their failure to control crime of different nature in Karachi since they get charge of Karachi why they were silent in Musharaf and Zardari governments? Why no one questioned them about their involvement in land grabbing? Why they were not answerable to the constitution of Pakistan? Why the law enforcement agencies failed to prove charges against Zardari? Why they failed to get back money from Swiss banks? All the law enforcement agencies blaming politicians. Will they tell us where they were when RAW was operating in Pakistan?
May be you know the art of the "war of the words", however, the only thing that is taking you & PPP down the hill is the corruption on unprecedented scale done in the past and is being done under PPP rule in Sindh government. Mend your ways and you will win the so called war !
So is he the replacement for John Snow.........in GOT.
And I know, that art of corruption better than anyone.
Zardari is here because of people of Pakistan. So is NS.
BOTTOM LINE. Under Asif Ali Zardari, PPP became a Sindh Rural party. Nothing more , simple.
Son of the soil. one what this area and its people deserve. he is the typical example of the people living in the area(from the rich to the poorest)
he has become a basketcase because he knows he is a goner
What is the purpose of this article, just general information?
Zardari also has an Altaf in him.
Every Thor has a Loki, I think AZ's Loki is IK .
One would have to give it to him he knows the game. One speech put the Pindi boys back on defensive, he is sitting in Dubai, all the activism of Rangers/agencies against PPP has come to a halt, only MQM getting grilled, who really cares about Karachiites anyways.
So will he replace John Snow in GOT.
I still feel baffled as to how Zardari got away with his absurd remarks against the most prestigious institution of Pakistan.
May be at war with himself?
He has destroyed the future of not only himself, but of whole PPP forever, atleast for Bhuttos and Zardaris.
The only art this man knows is how to loot.
He might know the art of dirty wars very well. He however, also shot himself in PPP's foot because of his cheap recent stunts. Thanks to Zardari, the fate and fame of PPP is down to zero. It has never been this low. Who is really responsible for this? He resorted to another cheap political shot thinking that the military might arrest him and make him a hero and his party once again would gain sympathy of poor Pakistani people. Mr Zardari, all Pakistani's know you and your caliber very well. No body is paying any attention because you deserved that. PPP will die it's own death as never visioned by you. This shows your real art of destroying any thing that comes in your way even if it could be your own family.
" I know the art of war better than anyone" - A mouse that roars like a lion, left the battlefield , took refuge in Dubai, licking his superficial wounds.
This accidental president has been walking on the coattail of Bhuttos for too long. He exploited Bhutto name long enough , PPP is just about finished, rats are leaving sinking ship. He better permanently settle down in Dubai.
"He was the only man willing to marry me"- Can't believe she said that ! In 180 million she picked him, if true, she certainly was n't a good judge of character.
He is trying to cope with the shame of destroying his party himself with such a statements. Evil genius thinks he's a real genius. If he were master at war, he would be a leading leader in Pakistan prior to marrying Benzair Bhutto.
@Farouk I believed also what you said; till one day I saw a report of corruption put out by NAB on this report Zardari was not on top. Please show some respect to your “ELECTED” president.
@syed wasim haider Napoléon lost the war; but still he is regarded as a great leader and General.
@syed wasim haider A great quality comment.
Knows the art of heavy corruption and how to defend it.
The first chapter in the book, 'The Art of War' begins with:
"All Wars are based on deception".
And you, no doubt are the Master of it. You have proven it over last 30 years.
Person who is a master of his art doesn't go around proclaiming to be the best, he/she lets the mastery of their speak for itself.
This is not the standard achievement that he completed his tenure successfully but it would be that how much he benefited the common masses for whom he was elected, Unfortunately history made by completing a successful tenure but I waiting for a time when history will be made by providing basic needs to all...
He and Donald Trump !! Zardari is full of it.