CAPITOL GOSSIP
1.Hillary Clinton was given a tough time by the students at the Government College as well as ladies program called Our Voice. She was unable to give satisfactory answers to the tricky questions. Her dialogue with the anchor persons also showed she was in distress. Maybe, she did not expect intellectuals in Pakistan.
2. One thing was very clear. US wants to maintain the status quo in Pakistan. Mian Nawaz Sharif was advised to join the federal government in return for the US blessings for his entry into the presidency as and when feasible. Mian Sahib agreed on the condition that he will do it ONLY after the 17th amendment was gone and Asif Zardari committed himself to implement the COD.
3.Hillary did not meet PMLQ leaders obviously to show where the American weight now lies. Ch Shujaat and Syed Mushahid appear to have gone 'underground'. They over-estimated the call from the GHQ and the US Ambassador's visit to Ch Sahib's house in Isbd before Hillary's visit.
4. Army Chief and Chief Justice of Pakistan are assured full protection vis-a-vis Asif Zardari.
5. Asif Zardari agreed to quit presidency provided he is granted immunity from prosecution under any law in the future. NRO will be enacted with pmln and pmlq parliamentarians absenting. MQM is yet to decide but will hopefully vote for NRO.JUI(F) and ANP are trying to find a way to vote for NRO without losing their face in public.
6. Gilani is to remain in place for the time being.
7. Maulana Fazlurrehman and Qazi Hussain Ahmed are again getting closer to revive the MMA to play a greater role in Taliban issue in and out of Pakistan.
8. Media are to be controlled or guided to prevent too much anti-American sentiment in print and electronic media exposure.
9. Local Bodies System will continue as such.
10. Kerry-Lugar Bill is open to acceptance or rejection on 'Take it or Leave it' basis.
11. Drone attacks will continue as such.
One can easily conclude that the Hillary's visit was to provide some soothing effect without changing the American agenda for Pakistan.
Regards.
Mumtaz A. Piracha
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