Democratically Elected Pakistani President is First to Serve Full Term

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Gabrielle Bluestone

09/08/13 11:30AM

Filed to: Pakistan

Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari finished his five-year term today, making him the first democratically elected leader in the country to complete a full term.

The 58-year-old, whose wife, two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, was brutally assassinated in 2007, stepped down today and his successor, Mamnoon Hussain, will be sworn in Monday.

Zardari apparently filmed an interview, airing tomorrow on local Pakistani channel Geo TV, in which he smokes an electronic cigarette, feeds his cat and talks about amendments he made to the country's constitution.

Although Zardari has earned the distinction of being the first to serve a full term, Pakistan's presidential office is "largely ceremonial" and the New York Times has detailed many of his missteps.

He faced a hostile judiciary, led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who constantly challenged his authority. Relations with the powerful military also remained tenuous, falling to their lowest point soon after the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad. A purported letter written to the American government asking for help to avert a possible military coup led to the removal of Husain Haqqani, a close Zardari ally and ambassador to Washington. Mr. Zardari himself survived a nervous breakdown and spent several days in Dubai, undergoing medical treatment.

[image via AP]

The following replies are approved. To see additional replies that are pending approval, click Show Pending. Warning: These may contain graphic material.

donmiguelb Gabrielle Bluestone 09/08/13 02:54PM

We all still have the Muslim problem. It's the one that is not cured by asserting that there are "moderate" Muslims who "actually follow the teachings of the Koran," the ones who can "coexist" with the rest of the world once we "deal with the problem of extremism." Pakistan, Egypt, Syria and what will hopefully become the homeland of the Palestinians - all of them on some level wish a return to sharia law. For a host of reasons, that's problematic for the rest of the world. Negotiating that divide sustainably (outside of military rule, for example), is the key challenge in that region. (Said the guy who does NOT have a master's degree from the Kennedy School, or indeed, any school, of government.)

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benjaminallover donmiguelb 09/08/13 04:07PM

If we have a "Muslim problem" then we also have a Jewish problem and a Christianity problem. To suggest that there is something dangerous and uncivilized about Islam is one thing, but to suggest that there's something UNIQUELY dangerous and uncivilized about it is quite another. Well, it's dangerous and uncivilized, actually.

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RandomDude donmiguelb 09/09/13 01:29AM

yeah, the real problem is that people like you exist.

donmiguelb RandomDude 09/09/13 04:30PM

Really? Is the real problem people like me? I'm nobody. I mean, really nobody. I'm just quoting what people in YOUR government say. Nobody wants to read deeply, but this is what YOUR leaders think. Yet you focus on my imperfect quoting of THEIR policy. I don't have an international policy. I have a trying to get my rent paid policy. I don't have a Muslim problem. I have a looking LIKE a Muslim problem maybe. So, you know, fuck yourself.

donmiguelb benjaminallover 09/09/13 04:42PM

I said that Muslims in that region seek a return to sharia law. That desire for a return to sharia law, I opined, is not cured by assertions that the "moderates" are okay, but that the "extremists" are not. I said that for a host of reasons, this is problematic for the rest of the world. I did not say that there was anything "dangerous" or "uncivilized" about Islam. I do not think that wishing for the return to sharia law IS dangerous or uncivilized. I do think it's problematic. No Jews wish for a return to Talmudic law. And no Christians are trying restart any kind of religious empire. Muslims, however, have a theocracy in Iran, seek one in Egypt and elsewhere. So - problem status is not "equally divided". Sharia law is problematic (for Westerners) , not dangerous, not uncivilized, just real and problematic - unless you wish to wear hijab, that your daughters should radically change their lifestyles and so on. And the desire for it is real among both moderates and extremists. This is true whether or not you "like" me. And you do not know whether or not I am Muslim. Maybe I too wish sharia law to return. Just saying.

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Hellephant Gabrielle Bluestone 09/08/13 11:37AM

Zardari apparently filmed an interview, airing tomorrow on local Pakistani channel Geo TV, in which he smokes an electronic cigarette, feeds his cat and talks about amendments he made to the country's constitution.

"Yes, Mr. Buttons and I pushed through an amendment banning dry cat food in the presidential palace, did we not, Mr. Buttons? [puff . . . ]"

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Crestfallen Commenter Hellephant 09/08/13 02:53PM

I have to correct you there. It's Bhuttons.

Hellephant Crestfallen Commenter 09/08/13 04:32PM

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psychomagnet Gabrielle Bluestone 09/08/13 11:50AM

Where's 007?!

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DoctorNine psychomagnet 09/08/13 12:39PM

Right before 008, just like it always was.

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psychomagnet DoctorNine 09/08/13 12:47PM

Correction, he, not it... ;) Perhaps 007 is in retirement, we could request 008, I suppose.

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DoctorNine psychomagnet 09/08/13 12:58PM

He's not as good, but I guess he'll have to do.

thehoopoe3 Gabrielle Bluestone 09/08/13 11:52AM

needs more cat pictures