Second time’s a charm

On March 10, I had the honour to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Asif Ali Zardari, the 14th president of Pakistan, at the President House.

On this occasion, newly elected Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif, outgoing President Dr Arif Alvi, family members of Mr Zardari, foreign diplomats, members of parliament, party leaders and dignitaries were also present.

When my article titled ‘Election astrology’ was published in these pages on December 22, 2023, a new debate started in journalistic circles. Later, in an interview with a private TV channel, I further elaborated on the predictions of Vedic Astrology that in the year 2024, every human being will be well rewarded for good deeds.

Time has proven my election prediction to be correct and true. As per Vedic astrology predictions, the PPP has succeeded in emerging as the kingmaker for government formation, and no one could stop the brave Asif Ali Zardari, with an impressive smile on his face, from sitting on the ‘Raj Singhasan’ (throne) of Islamabad.

When Mr Zardari was taking oath during the ceremony held in the President House, several prominent political events of the past began to revolve before my eyes.

In 1988, Ms Benazir Bhutto, the daughter of the first elected prime minister of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, became the first female prime minister of the Muslim world by winning the national elections. Unfortunately, some undemocratic forces tried to topple the government in a short period of one year, and then the next year, a motion of no-confidence was submitted to the speaker of the National Assembly.

When journalists asked about the chances of the success of the opposition, I still remember that Zardari's statement became the headline of newspapers: “I can bet that the case will be the opposite.” And then time proved his political vision to be true and accurate when the no-confidence motion, voted in the National Assembly on November 2, 1989, failed, and Ms Benazir Bhutto was declared successful in saving the government.

However, due to his determination to serve under the banner of the PPP, a series of baseless accusations, political cases and untrue controversies began to malign his good image in the public eyes.

After her government was dissolved in 1990 under Article 58(2)(b), Zardari was arrested unjustifiably. After three years, he was released due to the termination of the next government. Once again, the PPP government was not allowed to complete its constitutional term and in 1996, Zardari was imprisoned for a long period of around eight years.

Zardari reappeared in the national arena at such a critical time when Ms Benazir Bhutto was martyred in a cowardly attack in Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi in December 2007. In such a tough situation, Zardari raised the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay’ bravely and once again played his leading role in strengthening democracy.

After being elected as president to end the dictator era, he willingly surrendered his special presidential powers to empower parliament, which I believe is one of his great achievements in safeguarding democracy in the country.

Undoubtedly, Asif Zardari has made history by being elected as a democratic president for the second time. In this regard, senior journalist Hamid Mir has made a correct analysis that time never stays the same, and it does not take long to change.

There are many ups and downs in the tireless struggle carried out by Zardari. Although he could not see his children grow up in front of him during his imprisonment, the time has come for him to enjoy the innocent antics of his grandchildren.

In my view, Mr Zardari’s success with reconciliation policies is a lesson for us that we should make serving the people our priority during our good times and similarly, we should never despair of God’s mercy in difficult times. Heartfelt congratulations to President Asif Ali Zardari for assuming the Raj Singhasan (throne) of Islamabad.

The writer is a former member of the

National Assembly and patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council.

He tweets/posts @RVankwani