A deal was being sealed in Presidency when US Navy Seals raided Abbottabad

Members of the anti-terrorism squad are seen surrounding the compound where Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in Abbottabad, on May 4, 2011. — Reuters

ISLAMABAD: When the United States Navy SEALs raided Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, a power-sharing agreement was being signed at the Presidency between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), reveals a new book documenting significant events from Asif Ali Zardari's previous term as president.

"The agreement was finalised around 1:30am on May 2, precisely when US Navy SEALs were infiltrating the country, raiding the compound, killing Osama bin Laden, and escaping with his body — announcing to the world that the most wanted terrorist had been hiding in a military cantonment in Pakistan," writes Farhatullah Babar, who was then the spokesperson for President Asif Ali Zardari.

According to Babar, the President's Aide-de-Camp Squadron Leader Jalal, was likely the first to sense that something unusual had occurred when he learned from an air force source that a helicopter had crashed in Abbottabad. For him, a helicopter flying in the hilly area at night was suspicious. "He was the first among the President's staff to learn about what had happened," Babar noted.

Nevertheless, Jalal chose not to immediately inform the President, opting to double-check the information.

Meanwhile, the switchboard operator of the Army House called to inform that the army chief was on his way to the Presidency. US President Obama had also called Zardari. It remains unclear whether Zardari's meeting with the army chief had occurred by that time. 

The President stayed awake throughout the night, first due to the finalisation of the power-sharing agreement with the PML-Q and then because of the Abbottabad incident.

As the Memo-gate scandal unfolded following Osama's killing, leading to Hussain Haqqani's resignation, Farhatullah Babar, author of The Zardari Presidency (2008–13), considered issuing a press release as the spokesperson. 

The decision of his removal was made during a meeting held at the Prime Minister's House, attended by Gilani, Zardari, and Kayani. However, Babar discovered something alarming.

"I discovered that my Gmail account had just been hacked," writes Babar. It wasn't merely a case of hacking; the account was being misused. "During the few hours my account remained compromised, the hackers had already sent out fake messages. 

One such message claimed that in a private communication with a friend, I had acknowledged that the memo sent to Mike Mullen was genuine. Another falsely stated that I had told a friend the memo was indeed written at Zardari's behest. The FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) was unable to trace the hacker," Babar writes.

Recalling the Raymond Davis episode, Babar writes that the Americans were desperate to secure his release and fly him out as soon as possible. The reason behind this urgency remained shrouded in mystery. Zardari told Senator John Kerry, who was in Pakistan for this purpose, that since Davis wasn't a diplomat, he couldn't be granted immunity. 

Even if granted, it would be struck down by the court. He then showed pictures of religious parties demanding criminal prosecution of Raymond. Leaning towards Kerry, Zardari said, "I don't want the mullahs to take it to the streets."

There had to be an out-of-the-box solution, Zardari stated. When Kerry inquired about that, he replied: "We have to think about paying good compensation to the families of the victims under Islamic law." At this, US Ambassador Cameron Munter's face lit up. 

"But it is not automatic. The process involved will take some time." Munter slumped again. He was in a hurry to secure Davis's release. Eventually, the release occurred through this formula.

Originally published in The News