The Zardari Metamorphosis
In the three months following the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, her husband, Asif Ali Zardari has been progressively rebuilding his image, trying to distance himself from the tainted image of a feudal lord & Mr 10 percent, into the ‘Statesman’ sporting a sleek suit, trimmed mustaches and dyed hair, one has to seriously wonder if this is a true metamorphosis or just a ‘show’ to achieve ones goals.
I am generally weary of such drastic personality changes, not that I despise good looks, but in the case of Zardari, I worry. Its an age old saying that old habits die hard and a three month image rebuilding consultant will do little to change the person within, to trust a man who has ruthlessly looted this nation twice over to become the king-maker of our next Prime Minister – I worry.
Many reinvigorated Zardari supporters have started to ‘feel’ that this new image is due to the heightened responsibility entrusted upon him following the death of his wife and they believe he is now ‘a different person’, oft quoted as a ‘statesman’ who will build bridges between political divides to save Pakistan from disaster. Though I hope the best for Pakistan but It is here where I question — Is it just a show or truly the ‘New Zardari’ and more importantly are you falling for it?
This image was published in today’s Dawn with an article written by Anjum Niaz titled No Country for Old Men
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