Updated on
Summary
The documents published by WikiLeaks reveal that MQM opposed NRO under US, UK pressure.Interior Minister Rehman Malik assessed that establishment was with the military and MQM to bring down President Zardari. He suggested that such a statement would be useful in protecting President Asif Ali Zardari from military-induced pressure for Zardari to leave office. In addition, it would help dispel persistent charges from MQM that the United States and the United Kingdom had urged it to withdraw support for the NRO, thereby placing Zardari at risk. Rehman Malik also claimed that the MQM stated it had received this message during the Sindh Governors recent trip to the US and that Altaf Hussain had been approached by the British government in London. While the US ambassador strongly denied these allegations, stating that the US Government did not have any such discussions with the Sindh Governor. The US ambassador told Rehman that we were aware of such allegations. Rehman Malik suggested that the best way to deal with military pressure would be for President Zardari to make internal changes within the military hierarchy. Despite these concerns, Malik reiterated the governments line that Zardari is not in any real danger on expiration of the NRO. Rehman Malik also added that President Zardari had the ability to pardon anyone. Rehman Maliks view that ISI DG Pasha is behind the moves against President Zardari and that COAS Kayani is not involved is either naive or intentionally misleading. It would be impossible for Pasha to move without Kayanis acquiescence.
