Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has
reportedly decided to avert any clash with the judiciary over the
Lahore High Court verdict barring him from using the Presidency for
political activities.
"No political activity of the president in the Presidency will be made
public till the decision on the appeal being filed in the apex court
against the LHC verdict," the Dawn quoted a Pakistan People's Party
(PPP) insider, as saying.Zardari had met PPP MNAs, MPAs and ticket-holders from Bahawalpur division following the verdict, but "officially no press release or confirmation from the presidency was made" in this regard, he said.
"Although the LHC decision is not binding on the president, he (the president) thinks violation of its observations publicly will help his opponents make an issue of it," he added.
"President Zardari is of the view that since not much time is left for the next general election it will not be wise to pit his party against the judiciary. The president, meanwhile, may continue with his political engagements 'publicly' in Bilawal House in Karachi," the PPP insider said, adding that party circles hoped that the Supreme Court would suspend the LHC verdict.
The LHC had ruled on May 12 that President Zardari should relinquish his position of co-chairman of PPP, and that the Presidency should not be used for political activities.
Meanwhile, Zardari's spokesman Faratullah Babar said: "I cannot confirm that there will be any political activity in the Presidency in the future, but since the LHC verdict, no such meetings have occurred." (ANI)
