A day after Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani sacked defence secretary Naeem Khalid Lodhi, and coup fears waned even as the standoff between the Army and the government continued in Pakistan, the focus is shifting to a crucial Supreme Court hearing on Monday.
This is when the festering conflict between the army and the government could reach a critical stage, and the government could see its real test, when the court investigating the memo at the heart of the confrontation, returns its findings.
The Memogate Commission was set up by the SC two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kayani held a meeting with his top commanders in Rawalpindi, and reportedly refused to accept the sacking.
In a marked climbdown, Gilani however said his government would not clash with the army or the judiciary even as President Asif Ali Zardari flew to Dubai Thursday on what aides described as a one day private visit for a medical checkup and to attend a friend’s wedding.
Military sources said that while they would like Zardari to step down, it should be through constitutional means. “There is no talk in the military of a takeover,” a mid-level army officer said.
Some observers say the Army may be reluctant to stage a coup, but backs court action against Mr Gilani and early elections. The judiciary is bent on resuming a host of long-running corruption cases against Mr Zardari and other government figures.