WILL we have to keep ‘mum’ now that a ‘Noon’ man has settled into the president’s office? That would be further depriving the deprived. Pakistanis have come to depend a lot on the presidency to keep them thoroughly entertained. There have been military and civilian presidents — the former variety outright usurpers, and too many of the latter adept at hatching conspiracies and overthrowing elected prime ministers. From generals Zia and Musharraf to civilians Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Farooq Leghari — they all indulged in Byzantine intrigues from behind the closed doors of a looming presidency, comfortable in the knowledge that they could make or break governments. But matters might be different from now on. The president’s powers have been replaced by parliament’s sovereignty and the supreme head of the federation has been reduced to little more than a figurehead, thanks largely to the efforts of the last incumbent. Nevertheless, Asif Ali Zardari took to the presidency like no other leader did before him. Once he was in, he rarely set foot outside, and even when he was on tour he appeared to be in a hurry to get back. He had pieces from the outside world delivered to him in the secrecy of the presidential palace, yet he managed to get so much attention from everyone that he ranks among the most ‘well-known’ figures in the country.

Mr Zardari’s departure marks the end of an era when presidents made headlines by putting the nation in a state of turmoil. Now we are left confronting a canvas without colour. Newspapers and television will be all the poorer following the switch to new times. Mr Mamnoon Hussain will take a back seat as the primetime presidency show comes to an end. The loss will be keenly felt.