November 11, 2008. Copyright 2008, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Asif Ali Zardari: Pakistan's controversial president
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, November 11, Graphic News:  His assassinated wife Benazir Bhutto could do no wrong but to some in Pakistan her widower and their new president, Asif Ali Zardari, can do little right. He has little support among its citizens and has yet to persuade the political establishment he is not a liability.

Zardari, who spent several years in jail on corruption charges, was thrust into the political spotlight following Bhutto's murder in December 2007. He led her PPP party through elections and the West hopes his government will stabilize an unruly nation. His backing for the "war on terror" has guaranteed U.S. support -- for now -- but provoked anger at home.
  
The presidency is just the latest upward twist in the erratic fortunes of one of Pakistan's most divisive figures. Born in Karachi in 1955, he was relatively unknown before an arranged marriage to the daughter of a political icon who would twice become prime minister. 

The former investment minister has spent several periods in jail, including an eight-year stretch until 2004, and was dubbed "Mr 10%" due to claims he had siphoned off state funds to fund a lavish lifestyle. 

Zardari denies all the charges but if, as he says, these were politically motivated, he himself does not appear to be. Cynics claim the U.S. has bought his collaboration by pledging to release millions of dollars frozen because of the case against him. He has bank accounts and assets scattered about the globe and had lived away from Bhutto in America since 2004.

Nevertheless, Bhutto remained loyal to him and maintained their marriage was a good one. The polo-loving Zardari insists he merely wants to fulfill her legacy but few believe he has the moral authority to do so.
/ENDS