Downsizing of Musharraf Loyals

Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, the legal architect of almost every PCO which repeatedly subverted the Constitution, has been finally removed from his job along with other advisers and special assistants of the past military regime.

The outgoing cabinet secretary, SM Alam Rizvi, told The News on Tuesday that the Cabinet Division had issued a notification to bring to an end the long innings of Mr Pirzada, who joined President Musharraf on Oct 12, 1999.

All through these past years, the country saw four prime ministers under Musharraf but no one dared to relieve Pirzada, though a few of them were not very fond of him. On paper, Pirzada was senior adviser to the prime minister on foreign affairs, law justice and human rights, but for all practical purposes he remained the top legal aide to President Musharraf.

With Pirzada's exit, President Musharraf is left with only one key aide outside the presidency – Attorney-General Malik Muhammad Qayyum, who too would be replaced within a few days time.

Musharraf's buddies, including IB Chief Brigadier Ejaz Shah and Information Secretary Anwar Mehmud, opted to resign before the coming into power of the new regime. President Musharraf is now left with only two aides – Tariq Aziz, Secretary National Security Council, and Maj-Gen (retd) Rashid Qureshi, media adviser to the president. Outside the presidency, the world has changed altogether for the president.

Though, a few loyalists are still hanging on, amongst them Punjab Governor Lt-Gen (retd) Khalid Maqbool, their future too is in limbo. According to the cabinet secretary, Prof Dr Attaur Rehman has also been removed from the office of adviser to the prime minister. Dr Atta, however, would continue as chairman of the Higher Education Commission. His fate would be decided by the new prime minister.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf, who is also the chairman of the National Commission on Human Development, is also likely to be removed by the new prime minister. Four special assistants to the prime minister have also been removed by the Cabinet Division. These include Commander Khalilur Rehman, Dr Samar Mubarik, Dr Ashfaq Ahmad, Amar Lal and Yasin Malik.

Courtesy: THE NEWS on Wednesday 26th,2008