Pakistan's new chief executive, Makhdoom Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, has the aristocratic look of a man born to expect reverence. Even his name, suffixed with the spiritually deferential 'Makhdoom' and 'Syed' commands respect in his hometown of Multan where he is heir to a spiritual and political dynasty that is the custodian of an ancestral Sufi shrine.

His great-grandfather, Makhdoom Ranjhan Bakhsh Gilani served as member of the Central Legislative Assembly of India from 1921 to 1936 and his father Makhdoom Alamdar Hussain Gilani, and various uncles and cousins were elected legislators. Local influence has always translated into political ambition in his family.

Yet, what may sometimes be perceived as an aloof demeanour also masks the new premier's shyness, born out of his status as a local boy-madegood from a marginalised area.

Born in 1952, the polite and softspoken Gilani has become Pakistan's first elected prime minister from what is called the Seraiki belt, in southern Punjab. He is generally seen as a "decent" and principled man and his loyalty to PPP is widely admired.

Jailed for almost six years under Musharraf for misusing his authority to induct unqualified people from his area into government, he did not switch allegiance despite severe pressure. His political career began with PML but he fell out with it and joined PPP.

He defeated the then Punjab chief minister Nawaz Sharif from Multan in the 1988 elections and was made the Railways' minister.

Yusuf Raza Gilani with Asif Ali ZardariObservers say that his Punjabi roots were a major factor for his elevation. PPP would like to rebuild itself in Pakistan's largest province and it is also suspected that PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari did not want a Sindhi such as Makhdoom Amin Fahim to establish an alternate centre of power. Gilani's vaunted loyalty may also be useful if Zardari has a change of heart.

Although Zardari has stressed that Gilani will be PPP's premier for the next five years, many continue to believe that Benazir's widower nurtures ambitions of becoming prime minister himself and may, at some point, ask his nominee to step aside. If such a thing comes to pass, the best Gilani could hope for is for such a transition to be honourable.

Courtesy: India Today, April 07, 2008