By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan’s president-elect Asif Ali Zardari has bowed to warning by astrologers and put off his oath taking to Tuesday from Sunday after his convincing win in the presidential polls.
“Sep 6 to 8 are unfavourable dates for oath taking,” newspapers flashed the prediction by astrologer A.S. Chaudhry in Islamic Pakistan where otherwise predictions are not given much weight.
A leader from Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said the party has set Tuesday for the oath-taking ceremony.
Requesting anonymity, the party leader said that astrologers have warned that the figures 7 and 8 are unlucky for Zardari.
“This date has been set with consensus after discussions in the party and keeping in view the warnings,” he said.
There are other astrologers besides Chaudhry who have suggested that Zardari avoid taking oath before Sep 9. They say the number 13 is also not good for the PPP co-chairperson as he has been elected as the 13th president.
According to official records, Zardari is the country’s 13th president but the party is adamant on calling him the 12th president, probably not including president Wasim Sajjad’s tenure.
“I also want to convey that Zardari is the 12th president and not 13th as is being said in the media,” said the PPP leader.
Irrespective of suggestions and warnings by astrologers, Zardari does not have much time to settle down as tough challenges are hovering over the presidency.
Increase in terrorist activities, the issue of restoration of judges sacked by his predecessor Pervez Musharraf, a dwindling economy, high inflation, unemployment, energy and food crisis are some of the serious issues he has to tackle, besides the on-going war on terrorism in Afghanistan.