Pakistani Christians and Muslims : Zardari, a presidency of highs and lows
Islamabad
(AsiaNews) - A promoter of a " politics of consensus " ; author of
passage of a "constitutional reform " that gave greater powers to the
Parliament and the appointment of a Catholic to the post of Federal Minister ;
defender of democracy even amid
accusations of corruption. Despite
some highs and lows, the opinions of Christians and Muslim ( moderate )s
interviewed by AsiaNews , on Asif Ali Zardari's recently ended five-year
presidency of the Republic of Pakistan are largely unanimous. In
a country marked by a deep economic crisis and Islamist violence - against
which his Pakistan People's Party (PPP ) can not be held blameless - he was
able to carry out ( for the first time ever ) his mandate , and has ensured at
the same time , a peaceful and democratic handover with his successor - Himari
Hussain , of the Pakistan Muslim League ( N).
Zardari
was launched on the national political scene after the death of his wife
Benazir Bhutto , until then the soul of the PPP founded by her father Zulfikar
Ali. Bhutto was murdered in December
2007 during an election rally in Rawalpindi . Zardari
picked up the baton , even amid corruption allegations that arrived from Switzerland
and obstacles placed in his path by the judiciary and the military. He proved
capable of bringing in reforms and major changes , even if the country is still
lagging behind in terms of economic growth and still too prone to Islamic
extremist violence .
Even
his detractors point to the" national reconciliation" that made him
popular and worthy of respect, as well as the signature of interesting economic
agreements including the pipeline from Pakistan and Iran. And
welcoming his successor, he promised cooperation in the democratic path "against
the forces who want to destabilize the country" and promised he would
"answer the charges in court , as I have always done in the past , even if
it comes to political attacks " against his party .
Speaking to AsiaNews, Mgr . Rufin
Anthony , bishop of Islamabad / Rawalpindi , speaks of a charismatic leader who
was able to lead the country for five years and has always fought for
democracy. "His
policies aimed at consensus - he adds - have made him popular even among
critics" and hw was able to ignore or forgive" all the personal
attacks that he received ." For Fr. Anwar
Patras , of the Diocese of Rawalpindi , the former president was able to "
keep the bar of democracy squarely in front of him," speaking in defense
of minorities and elevating to the rank of Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhatti , a
personality from a minority.
Zardari
was also praised by the moderate Muslims of Pakistan. Maulana
Ali Muratib , of the Ulema Council , said he had never been a supporter of the
PPP , but " Zardari as head of state has behaved well ." The
former president has fought for democracy and, despite allegations of
corruption, " his work will be remembered forever ." A
view shared by Maulana Muhammad Arif Sheikh , a member of Islamic Ideology
Council, that Zardari " deserves respect " regardless of the
criticisms that can be leveled against
him. "
He was able to leave the palace - he adds - with unprecedented style" and
has taken significant steps "for the development" of the country . "Not
just a good politician - he said - but also a true statesman. His party lost
the last election because of a negative media campaign, and the repeated
attacks of the judiciary and the army. Nevertheless , he is the only politician
capable of joining the liberal forces of the whole nation and I hope he will
focus his energy for this purpose. "