Obama Administration prevented possible military coup in Pak during political crisis

Lahore, Apr.17 (ANI): 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.

According to the report, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had threatened Zardari that he would quit if the judiciary was not restored to the November 2007 position. However, the report also admits that Gilani's threat remains disputed.

Furthermore, calls for a compromise also came from US Secretary of States Hillary Clinton and the Special US envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke.

Both Clinton and Holbrooke personally called Zardari and Sharif to discuss the issue.

Top US officials also signalled to Sharif that they would not object to his becoming president or prime minister some day, the report said.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband played a part too, as he also had talks with Sharif regarding the reconciliation with Zardari. (ANI)