After Me... Me

Musharraf's choice of Aziz symbolises his deep distrust of the political class. As a technocrat who served the Saudi royal family and princes of the uae, and also worked with the World Bank in Washington, Aziz is expected to be indifferent to the country's democratic aspirations. But already the members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q have started to ask: can Aziz find a safe seat from where he can get elected to the National Assembly?

The speculation has been sparked because PML-Q president Hussain did not mention Aziz in his speech of thanks after he was elected leader of the National Assembly (that is, in effect, the PM). He subsequently made amends at a party meeting after the presidency called reminding him of the script he, Jamali and Musharraf had agreed upon. Hussain has also been requesting the media not to refer to him as 'interim PM'. Reason: the Constitution does not recognise such a post.