This is something you just don't do if you're a civilian government leader in Pakistan. Financial Times: A scandal over a secret memo seeking US help to reign in the army has pushed the nuclear-armed country into a period of exceptional uncertainty by forcing a long-running civilian-military power struggle into the open. Yusuf Raza Gilani, the prime minister, injected a fresh twist into the drama on Wednesday when he sacked the defence secretary, Naeem Khalid Lodhi, a retired general close to the military establishment, which sees itself as Pakistan's ultimate guardian. A statement issued by Mr Gilani's office said Mr Lodhi had committed "gross misconduct" but did not elaborate. Any sign of hostilities between politicians and soldiers causes alarm through Pakistan where generals have repeatedly staged coups and where stability rests on a precarious balance between centres of military, civilian and judicial power. That balance has been tested in recent months following allegations...(Read Full Post)