Outrage at absent leader swells amid Pakistan flood disaster

It was Pakistan’s Marie Antoinette moment: President Asif Ali Zardari landing at his 16th century French chateau by helicopter as millions of his countrymen wallowed in the mud, their homes and livelihoods swallowed by Pakistan’s worst floods in a half century.

Back home, the tide of outrage at the absent leader swelled along with the rivers. Zardari returned Tuesday to face frustrated citizens who blame his government for what they see as inaction and incompetence, while 14 million people are still waiting for aid as the disaster unfolds.

For Zardari’s government, and Western countries that depend on Pakistan to fight Al Qaeda and the Taliban, the political undertow is also perilous. Militant groups have outstripped the government or army in rescue efforts, scoring points with flood victims. Meanwhile, as the water makes its relentless way southward, the danger of instability grows.