Pak president, PM appear terrified of army chief: Author

Trying to appease Pakistan's powerful army chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, the Zardari-Gilani duo has used his term extension as an "insurance" for themselves, appearing "terrified" of him in the process, eminent author-commentator Ahmed Rashid says in his new book.

Rashid, who has closely watched the region and is considered quite an authority on Pakistan says the country's current civilian leaders have failed to use their terms to strengthen civilian institutions, by choosing to play to the tune of the army.

In his upcoming book 'Pakistan on the Brink: The Future of America, Pakistan and Afghanistan' that will hit the stands on March 19, Rashid observes that Zardari committed a mistake by giving a three-year extension to Kayani.

"Both Zardari and Gilani appear to be terrified of General Kayani, and instead of using civilian power, such as the media and parliament, to raise these issues, both men want to avoid riling the army so they can have long and safe terms in office," he writes.

In his book running into more than 230 pages, Rashid says that Zardari and Gilani see Kayani's three-year extension as an "insurance policy" for their own personal safety and for the survival of their regime, failing to learn from the country's own history.

"Zardari calculates that because he did Kayani this favour, he will support Zardari's re-election as president in 2013. But Pakistan's history has proved that such assumptions are risky bets, because even the most loyal and subservient army chiefs have turned against their political benefactors when the need has arisen," Rashid says.