Durrani's sacking shows Gilani is cozying up to Pak Army

Lahore, Jan 12 (ANI): The sacking of Pakistani National Security Adviser Mahmud Ali Durrani by the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani confirms reports about difference in the PPP-led government. Gilani's moves could also be interpreted as cozying up to the Army while distancing himself from the US.

This is not quite in consonance with the policy being formalized for President Aisf Ali Zardari by the Haqqani-Durrani duo with the tacit backing of Washington.

However, it is certain that there is a clear divide in the civilian establishment. According to some insiders, apart from support from the PML-N there will be takers of an assertive Prime Minister and a powerful parliament in other parties including the PPP.

Gilani was so furious when he saw a report about Ajmal Kasab being a Pakistani citizen on a private TV network that he rang the channel to find out about the source, The Nation reported.

When told that none other than Durrani was the one, he ordered his immediate sacking and asked the channel to run the story.

Durrani's admission that he was asked by his boss, President Asif Ali Zardari, to go public on Kasab's identity, added a new twist to the tale.

The same evening after watching the news of the sacking of his top adviser on television, Zardari rang the Prime Minister requesting him to keep it on hold and back Durrani's leak.

But Gilani refused to budge and ordered the notification nevertheless. Gilani who is in a belligerent mood, these days has reportedly confided in close friends that he would not compromise on the national interest.

Lately, he has also been referring to the rules of business, which bestow all powers on the Prime Minister under the 1973 Constitution despite Musharraf's 17th Amendment. (ANI)