Americans have once again helped old time ally Musharraf to stay in power

Islamabad, May 12 : Amid continuance of the complex issue of judges restoration in Pakistan, Americans' behind-the-scene role of 'pursuing' PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari not to pay heed to Nawaz Sharif's demand of restoring deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Choudhary, has once again proved that still want to see their old time "war against terror" ally President Pervez Musharraf to stay in power, said a commentary in The News.

This is not the first time that the Americans have helped Musharraf to stay in power on his own terms and conditions. They have been working on it even before the general elections in Pakistan, when former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was "made to agree" to work with Musharraf, it said.

And, after her assassination, they made her husband and now PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari to fall in line and for this purpose Hussain Haqqani was used, who has now been rewarded with an ambassadorial assignment in Washington, added the commentary.

According to the paper, led by Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, the Americans have once again openly come to the rescue of their beleaguered ally as Nawaz Sharif today returns empty-handed to Islamabad.

Nawaz Sharif held several rounds of talks with Zardari in London during the past three days to resolve the complex judges' restoration issue, but he failed to impress upon Zardari. Earlier, he held talks with Zardari in Islamabad urging him to implement the Murree Accord agreed to between the two parties which talked about restoration of judges within one month of the government formation.

After the first deadline expired on April 30, the two parties agreed on May 12 as the next deadline, but this too expired with no action on the part of the PPP regarding the judges' restoration issue.

This has ultimately helped Musharraf, who is now safely placed, as chances of deposed Iftihar Choudhary's reinstallation have dimmed further.

ANI