The Zardari Presidency: Now It Must Be Told by Farhatullah Babar is an insider’s account of one of the most turbulent political chapters in Pakistan’s recent history. Covering the years 2008 to 2013, when Asif Ali Zardari was President, the book pulls readers into the high-stakes battles between democratic authority and the entrenched military-judicial “deep state.”
Babar, who served as Zardari’s spokesperson, offers a ringside view of the drama that unfolded in Islamabad. He describes moments of crisis, such as the fallout after the U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden, the controversy over Governor’s Rule in Punjab, and the long shadow of scandals like “Memogate.” His writing shows the constant pressure Zardari faced – not just from political opponents, but from allies and powerful institutions eager to weaken civilian rule.
What makes the book engaging is its balance. Babar acknowledges Zardari’s flaws, questionable alliances, and pragmatic compromises, while also underlining his resilience and political survival. He reminds readers that Zardari was the first civilian president in Pakistan’s history to complete a full five-year term, and that his tenure included landmark reforms such as the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which curtailed presidential powers in favor of Parliament.
With the narrative rich in political detail, the memoir remains an important contribution to understanding Pakistan’s fragile democracy. It is not a one-sided defense but a candid account that captures both the paradoxes and the resilience of Zardari’s presidency.
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