Rulers have turned Pakistan into 'Mughal empire': Zardari

PPP co-chairperson says his party will continue its war against anti-democracy forces

PESHAWAR: The present rulers have turned Pakistan into a "Mughal empire" and are only interested in increasing their wealth instead of addressing the public's problems, former president and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari said on Saturday.

Talking to party activists at the residence of PPP Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) President Humayun Khan in Peshawar, Zardari said the PPP was fighting a war against anti-democracy forces in the country and would form the next government at the federal and provincial levels.

The former president was in the city to meet PPP’s K-P leadership and mobilise workers for the general elections next year. He was accompanied by former Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, PPP K-P General Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi and Senator Farhatullah Babar.



"Our war against anti-democracy forces will continue because these 'Mughal kings' aren't bothered about the issued faced by the people,” said Zardari. "All they are concerned about is their personal interests," he added.

The PPP co-chairperson assured party activists that the rulers would be held accountable.

The former president also criticised the federal government for “failing to secure the country's borders", noting that there were tensions with Iran, Afghanistan and India.  “This government is unable maintain a peaceful and mutually beneficial relationship with the neighbouring countries,” he remarked.

Zardari also accused Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of purchasing gas from Qatar at a higher price instead of turning to neighbouring countries which offered the commodity at a cheaper rate. "Why isn't the government buying gas at a cheaper rate from a neighbouring country? These rulers complete every project at double its original cost,” he added.



Turning his attention to the upcoming elections, the PPP co-chairperson said the government should ensure that free and fair polls were held.

"The PPP will go to court if any party tries to influence the elections," he warned.

Zardari said he had held discussions with Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq and leaders of other political parties on the elections and would continue reaching out to all political leaders.

Zardari also visited the residence of Awami National Party (ANP) leader Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and offered fateha for Haji Adil, a senior ANP leader who died last year.