Zardari throws Taliban’s sharia law deal at Gilani, Sharif camp

June 1st, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The bitter relationship between Pakistan President Asif Ali and the Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif seems to be improving, as both the leaders are expected to meet to discuss the grave issues facing the country currently. According to sources, Sharif, who had earlier refused to meet the Zardari, has now softened his stance, and is willing to meet the President to discuss ways to pull the nation out of the prevalent crisis.

May 6th, 2009 LAHORE - : The United States wants the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif to become Pakistan's Prime Minister and President Zardari to continue on the post, a top Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader has claimed. According to the Daily Times, the leader, who is close to Zardari, said Sharif has become the 'blue-eyed boy' of the US and the rest of the western countries.

April 21st, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The enforcement of Sharia laws in Swat and other parts of Pakistan's restive northwest is dependent on peace returning to the area, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, says. 'If peace prevails, we would protect this (Sharia) Regulation,' he said in an interview to Geo TV's 'Capital Talk' programme.

April 17th, 2009 LAHORE - The Obama Administration prevented Pakistan from yet another military coup by brokering peace between President Asif Ali Zardari and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during the recent political bedlam in the country, a report in the Washington Post (WP) has claimed. The political chaos in the country, which saw President Zardari's allies trying to cripple Nawaz Sharif, and in response Sharif threatening a street battle, could have forced Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kiyani intervening in the matter, the report states.

April 16th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - A day after Sharia laws were formally imposed in Swat in Pakistan's restive northwest, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced a Rs.400 million development package for the once scenic valley, saying he would visit it soon. He made the announcement while speaking to a delegation of Awami National Party (ANP) at the PM House here, Geo TV reported.

April 14th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Following the National Assembly's nod, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the sharia law deal which is to be implemented in the North West Frontier Province's Swat region. "Yes, the president has signed the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation before leaving for Dubai on a two-day visit," The Daily Times quoted presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, as saying.

April 13th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - On a day of fast moving developments, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari late Monday approved the imposition of Sharia laws in parts of the country's restive northwest, including Swat, in return for a controversial deal with the Taliban for laying down their arms. Zardari signed the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation after parliament approved the measure earlier Monday, Geo TV quoted senior North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour as saying.

April 13th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Faced with growing international pressure to reject a controversial peace accord with the Taliban in the Swat Valley in Pakistan's restive northwest, President Asif Ali Zardari has rolled it into parliament to shift the responsibility away from himself. 'Zardari does not want to be held responsible for any negative fallout if this deal backfires in future, as then parliament will be responsible,' The News said Monday.

March 30th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has formally lifted Governor's Rule in Punjab by signing a summary on the advice of Prime Minister Yousuf Raja Gilani. After a late night meeting with Gilani, Zardari signed the summary to lift governor's rule, The Dawn reports.

March 24th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is keen to ensure a smooth passage of his address to the joint sitting of parliament, scheduled for the first week of April to set off new parliamentary year. Zardari told Prime Minister Gilani to make sure that there is no protest or walkout when he addresses the joint sitting, The Nation reports.

March 22nd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz will not pressurize the PPP Government to lift Governor's Rule in Punjab before the Supreme Court's verdict on a review petition against the disqualification of the Sharif brothers, the Daily Times has reported. There is a tacit understanding between the PML-n and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani following the successful lawyers' March and the restoration of the judiciary, sources said.

March 21st, 2009 LONDON - Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani says he has 'no problem' working with opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, adding he wants to immediately lift federal rule in Punjab. 'I am sure we can work with Nawaz Sharif in strengthening the democratic process,' Gilani told The Times, London, in an interview published Friday.

March 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Amid shifting power equations in Pakistan, former national security adviser Brajesh Mishra said President Asif Zardari could not deliver on promises despite being 'warm' towards India, adding a stronger Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani would be a better bet for New Delhi to deal with Islamabad. 'He (Zardari) was always warm to India ...

March 16th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Monday called off the 'Long March' of opposition politicians and lawyers after incumbent Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced that deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry would be reinstated on March 21 after present Chief Justice Dogar retires. In an address to the nation, Gilani declared that President Zardari had agreed to most of Nawaz Sharif's demands.

March 13th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has asked Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to play his role and convince President Asif Ali Zardari to defuse the prevailing tension by restoring the pre-November 3 judiciary. Sharif said that if the Prime Minister wished, he could restore the pre-November 3 judiciary, Geo News reported.