Eyeing presidency after the Pakistani army's very own Pervez Musharraf's departure, Asif Ali Zardari, the ruling PPP's candidate for the top post, says the 'establishment' is with him in his quest to succeed the former military ruler.
He said the 'establishment' -- a euphemism for army in Pakistan -- has not opposed or expressed reservations over his candidature in the September six presidential poll.
"The establishment has its own sensitivities which we keep in view while taking decisions," Zardari told 'The News' daily at the Prime Minister's House annexe, where he has shifted for security reasons after becoming the PPP presidential candidate.
He said if all state institutions work within their specified domain, there is no need for a contestant to consult the 'establishment' on becoming or not becoming a candidate in the presidential race.
The PPP presidential nominee said he always tremendously felt 'under pressure' when Musharraf, who resigned on August 18, was occupying presidency. "Now, I am relieved and feel no pressure," he was quoted as saying.
Turning to another topic, the PPP chief said a section of media was "very vicious against me", apparently referring to reports in western newspapers about his mental health.
"The baseless propaganda was unleashed because some people don't want to see the PPP strong and strengthened, having its own President," he said, adding "they might have their own fears.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan's ruling PPP's Presidential candidate Asif Ali Zardari, who inherited the party's leadership after the assassination of his wife Benazir Bhutto, has purged it of the former premier's close confidants, a media report has said.Party stalwarts, whom Benazir had relied upon are angry at the way her closest aides have been humiliated and alarmed that her political legacy is being betrayed, The Sunday Times said in a report.
They are also outraged that some of Zardari's aides have blamed Benazir Bhutto's most trusted advisers for her death, accusing them of failing to protect her from the assassins who killed her in a sniper and suicide bomb attack.
Naheed Khan, Benazir Bhutto's devoted political secretary and inseparable friend for more than 20 years has been the target of such accusations, they said.
Khan, who has been sidelined since the assassination, was sitting next to Benazir Bhutto in a bullet proof Land Cruiser when the leader was shot while waving to supporters through the sun-roof. Khan cradled Benazir Bhutto's head on her lap before realising she was dead.
Only four or five members of Benazir Bhutto's team have made the transition to Zardari's camp, said former agriculture minister and Benazir adviser Nawab Yusuf Talpur.
"Most of the people trusted by Bibi are not trusted by him. Benazir had a vision and the capacity to hold this party together... Her legacy is not being handled in the way we expected," Talpur said.