The most explosive insider account of Pakistani politics and its deep state.
Asif Ali Zardari has the distinction of being the first President in Pakistan’s tumultuous history to complete a full five-year term. He was the man who defied all odds—a political survivor rising from obscurity to become Pakistan’s most enigmatic and possibly most controversial President.
While many predicted that the party founded by his father-in-law would factionalize if not fade away after the assassination of his wife, Benazir Bhutto, Zardari took the reins of the party at its most difficult time, united it, and went on to become the President of Pakistan twice. But what secrets lay behind Asif Ali Zardari’s tumultuous rule? In this explosive memoir, The Zardari Presidency: Now It Must Be Told, Farhatullah Babar, seasoned insider and close aide to Zardari, recounts the high-stakes drama, clandestine power struggles and seismic events that shaped a nation during his presidency from 2008 to 2013.
From the corridors of the presidency to the stormy halls of Parliament, Babar offers an unparalleled view of Zardari’s battles with Pakistan’s entrenched deep state, the judiciary and even his own allies. Follow the fallout of the Osama bin Laden raid and the relentless manoeuvring that kept democracy afloat in a sea of conspiracies.
But this is not a tale of unblemished heroism. Babar pulls no punches, exploring moments of paradox during Zardari's presidency and his controversial alliances. With personal anecdotes, untold stories and a front-row seat to history, this memoir unveils the tectonic shifts that defined a presidency and a nation.
Unmasking Pakistan’s Most Controversial Presidency – From the Insider’s Room
Step inside the corridors of power during one of Pakistan’s most tumultuous eras. As presidential spokesperson, Farhatullah Babar reveals the raw, unfiltered truth behind the Zardari presidency (2008–2013)—a period marked by covert operations, judicial confrontations, military intimidation and landmark reforms.
What Secrets Will You Uncover?
• Behind Closed Doors: Relive the night when the 111 Brigade stormed the Presidency to send a chilling message to Zardari.
• Deep State vs. Democracy: Witness the battle between civilian rule and Pakistan’s entrenched military and judicial forces.
• Explosive Scandals: Go beyond headlines—Memogate, the Osama bin Laden raid, and Zardari’s vilification for OBL’s presence in Abbottabad.
• Historic Triumphs: Discover how Zardari championed the 18th Constitutional Amendment, decentralizing presidential powers amidst chaos.
Why This Memoir Shakes the Foundations of Pakistani Politics
‘Unputdownable… A captivating account of Zardari’s paradoxes and the troops thudding in the Presidency at night.’ — Afrasiab Khattak
Farhatullah Babar brings readers face to face with: • Unthinkable Resilience: Rising from the ashes of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination to become the first civilian president to complete a full term.
• Dangerous Pragmatism: Navigating hybrid rule, building uneasy alliances and playing a highstakes game with the deep state.
• A Human Paradox: Behind the calculated leader is a grieving father and a loyal friend— shared through never-before-told stories.
For Readers of Politics, Power and Pakistani History
This is not a glorified account. It’s a rare look at how Asif Ali Zardari:
• Turned “Democracy is the best revenge” into a survival strategy.
• Manoeuvred between Washington, GHQ and Parliament.
• Let pragmatism win—but rewrote the architecture of Pakistani power.
Dare to understand the man who defied generals, judges and global suspicion.
Order your copy of this explosive political memoir now.
Farhatullah Babar was the President's spokesperson during Asif Ali Zardari’s first term as President (2008–2013).
Transitioning from journalism to politics, he also served as official speechwriter to Benazir Bhutto during her first term (1988–1990), and spokesperson during her second term as Prime Minister (1993–1996).
As senator, he chaired the Parliamentary Commission on the new South Punjab province and the Special Committee on the Right to Information formed to legislate the RTI Act-2017.
He has also been a member of the Senate and syndicate of the University of Peshawar, Quaid-e- Azam University and PIDE (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics), Islamabad.
A life member of the Pakistan Academy of Letters and HRCP (Human Rights Commission of Pakistan), Farhatullah Babar is a recipient of the national award Hilal-i-Imtiaz.
