Click to play videoNew Delhi: The political and civil unrest in Pakistan has forced President Asif Ali Zardari to back down and he is ready to accept Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif's demands.
Zardari could lift Governor's Rule in the Punjab province after USA's reported ultimatum to the Pakistani President to defuse the crisis within 24 hours.
So it seems that on Day Two of the long march, Round One of the political battle has gone to Sharif.
If Governor's Rule in the Punjab is revoked, it will pave the way for the possible restoration of the government of Sharif's party.
"Mr Zardari refused to honour his commitments and fulfil his obligations. He said no. Agreements are not Koran. So I think that is a very serious matter," said Sharif:
But on the issue of restoring deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, a blunt refusal was followed by a request for more time to decide the issue.
The development lends credence to reports of a 24-hour ultimatum served on Zardari to bend to the political winds or risk emasculation.
The ultimatum coming from Washington and London and was conveyed to Zardari through Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. It was also backed up by America's main contractor in Pakistan, the army.
Zardari must agree to defuse the current political standoff by removing his ally and Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, by brining a new constitutional package to bring together Pakistan People's Party and the PML-N.
Critical to this package is the reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry within 48 hours and the removal of the bar on third terms for prime ministers that could potentially open the doors to Nawaz Sharif becoming the prime minister once again.
Failure to move on these proposals could see the so called Minus One Formula put into operation, which means Zardari's wing will be clipped forever with Gilani's prime ministership coming into its own.
"I think we are their partners in strengthening the system. But the system which is rarely democratic and not something which is inherited from a dictator," said Sharif.
Clearly, the lawyer's long march, Sharif's declaration of war against Zardari and the President's crackdown had sent an unmistakable signal to Washington and London that Zardari was making too many enemies and dividing his resources when focus should have been on the war against the Taliban.
Zardari has conceded some ground but whether, in the next 24 hours, he will surrender more ground or prefer to fight it out is the big question.
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