Zardari, PML-Q in alliance to remove Gilani: Report

Pakistan PM Yousuf Raza Gilani could be the “first victim of President Asif Ali Zardari’s extreme anger and vengeance” as he and opposition PML-Q are believed to have agreed to form an alliance to deprive the premier of his post, a media report said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani could be the “first victim of President Asif Ali Zardari’s extreme anger and vengeance” as he and opposition PML-Q are believed to have agreed to form an alliance to deprive the premier of his post, a media report said on Friday.

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The new strategy envisages the President issuing an ordinance to bar PML-Q dissidents in Punjab province from extending support to the PML-N to form a government in the province. Once Punjab is under its control, the ruling Pakistan People’s Party will join the PML-Q League to form a coalition at the centre, The News daily reported. The framework for this strategy was finalised in secret meetings between Zardari and PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi.

However, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar has denied such meetings were held. The newspaper quoted sources as saying that the Chaudhry cousins had told Zardari they would extend cooperation to the PPP in Punjab and at the Centre. The federal government is considering some sort of legislation to deal with the 34-member group of PML-Q dissidents in Punjab.

Sources said Zardari was unhappy with the “deepening relationship” between Gilani and PML-N leaders Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif after the premier “emerged a peacemaker and acquired the role of a sane adviser to the President” in the recent standoff on the deposed judges.