Zardari could do a Putin to become Pakistani PM: Report

With rumours swirling about his status and ultimate fate, Asif Ali Zardari could well do a Vladimir Putin and step down as Pakistan's President to become the prime minister, a media report said.

With rumours swirling about his status and ultimate fate, Asif Ali Zardari could well do a Vladimir Putin and step down as Pakistan's President to become the prime minister, a media report said.

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Quoting a Pakistani source, the US-based 'Foreign Policy' magazine reported Zardari could "pull a Putin" whereby he cedes power to the prime minister and then, as head of his party, makes a ploy to have himself elected to that post.

However, it's unclear how successful such a ploy might be, the magazine said.

In fact, since late last month, calls for Zardari to step down have increased following the release of a list of names of politicians who benefited from a National Reconciliation Ordinance and the November 28 expiration of the amnesty he received under that agreement.

There are also reports that the Pakistani military is readying a move against Zardari based on the perception he is complicit in compromising Pakistan's sovereignty by moving too close to the United States, the magazine said. (MORE)