The New Nation - Internet Edition

Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir Bhutto's widower, sworn in as President of nuclear power Pakistan the other day has been depicted by the Western media as the most controversial leader Pakistan ever had in her 61-year history.

The democratisation process in Pakistan has been marked by the return of some political figures who had earlier been accused of corruption, and gives rise to a fundamental question, whether former president Pervez Musharraf's war on corruption did meet with success or not.

The Western media have tried to ridicule Zardari as "Mr. 10 Percent" a nickname that stems from accusations that he took a cut from government contracts while his wife Benazir Bhutto was in office as Prime Minister.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, another corruption accused, has emerged as the second most powerful leader as his PML-N controls Punjab and has significant representation in the national assembly and other provincial assemblies.

The catalogue of allegations against Zardari is well known and every sordid detail has been raked up since his bid for the presidency was announced. Controversies that surround him can be overcome by none but Zardari himself.

'Mr Zardari has renewed his pledge to pare down the extraordinary, anti-parliament powers of the President. If Mr Zardari fails to keep his word his credibility and democratic credentials will be in tatters. It is in any case questionable how much Mr Zardari can now do to make parliament supreme,' commented Dawn, Pakistan leading English language newspaper.

Questions also arise as to whether Zardari can with a PPP-led government under him give up the right to appoint service chiefs, governors and judges of the superior judiciary - which is the absolute minimum he can do to correct the structural imbalance amongst the institutions of the state.

Another challenge that confronts Zardari is that many Pakistanis oppose their country's role in the war on terror, which the new president has vowed to pursue vigorously, and blame it for fanning religious extremism. The Taliban have carried out a series of attacks, including a suicide bombing Saturday, that killed at least 35.

The persons with widespread reputation for corruption are now in control in Pakistan. The old politics of intolerance and corruption have been restored by Gen. Musharraf after remaining in power for some nine years with America's help. Not only future of democracy is now uncertain, Pakistan's political stability itself remains most difficult to attain. Gen. Musharraf neglected the task to put politics right.