Minus-one formula being considered in Islamabad

Islamabad, Mar. 15 (ANI): Despite being asked by Prime Minister Gilani and Army Chief Kayani to cool down the political temper, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has remained unfazed so far.

To deal with a defiant Zardari and end political emergency , the minus-one formula is being discussed in Islamabad, The News claims.

Although a former colleague of Pakistan Army Chief General Pervez Kayani has said that Kayani would be the last person to go for a military coup, but the Kakar or minus-one formula might his last option to overcome the present political crisis in the country.

In mid 90s, General Abdul Waheed Kakar launched a military intervention to end a similar crisis.

Meanwhile, with the resignation of two key members from the Pakistan cabinet, Zardari is continuously facing distrust within the PPP. A presidential source, however, insisted that Zardari was not the kind of person who would surrender to pressures.

Another presidency source claimed that Zardari might announce lifting of governor's rule in the Punjab by March 16, and offer the PML-N to make the government in the province. He also said that at the eleventh hour, the government could allow the lawyers and other participants of the long march to stage a sit-in in Islamabad, while ensuring that the participation remains thin.

The source added that it was a matter of days that things might change, with independent judiciary being restored and the office of the prime minister becoming stronger and a national government formed. (ANI)