Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari might not return home to Pakistan until he is convinced he will not be put on trial for treason for seeking American help to avert a coup by his powerful Army, official sources here said.
“The President’s health is stable but he wants to stay back (in Dubai) and get assurances from the military that he will not be tried for treason”, a senior official close to the President told this newspaper.
Media reports here suggest a “soft revolution” is already under way with Mr Zardari being silently replaced by his son Bilawal Bhutto, who has taken charge of the Pakistan People’s Party.
News agency reports quoting the President’s aides said Mr Zardari might fly to London from Dubai for further treatment, and was unlikely to return anytime soon. “Zardari will be under observation in Dubai for some more days, maybe more than two weeks,” Gulf News reported.
“The next 72 hours are crucial as more changes and developments are expected”, another official said. Sources said the President was under enormous stress, particularly after Pakistan’s Supreme Court issued a notice to him over “Memogate”, seeking a reply in 15 days. Notices were also issued to the Army Chief, the ISI head and former ambassador to Washington Husain Haqqani. It was shortly afterwards that Mr Zardari left for Dubai.