Zardari claims ‘only PPP will implement Fata reforms’
Criticises PML-N for ‘incompetence’ in solving issues of tribal people
PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR:
Former president Asif Ali Zardari has said claimed that only the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will implement the tribal areas reforms package as work on the reforms had been initiated by the same party.
Addressing a convention of PPP office-bearers from Fata on Monday, Zardari lashed out at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for ‘its negligence’ in implementing the reforms package for mainstreaming the Fata region.
Provincial leadership of the party was also present at the convention held at the residence of Arbab Alamgir Khan.
“Do not expect anything from the incumbent rulers … they are incompetent in solving issues,” said the PPP co-chairman. “They are not going to do anything for the people of Fata as they are not serious in implementing the reforms.”
Rulers have turned Pakistan into 'Mughal empire': Zardari
Mismanagement marred the convention as a scuffle took place when workers, trying to reach the stage, were stopped. They protested and chanted slogans against Senior Vice President Akhunzada Chattan, the party’s chief in Fata and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Luckily, no one was seriously injured and the issue was resolved.
Explaining his party’s efforts in mainstreaming Fata, Zardari said, “Today, everyone is doing politics in Fata just because of the political parties act that we extended.”
“It was the PPP that took the initiative of reforming tribal areas by abolishing the centuries-old law,” he said, hoping that the Political Parties Act 2002 -- extended to Fata through a presidential order in 2011 -- would bring the people of the region into mainstream politics.
Zardari claimed to have increased the fund for Fata from Rs3 billion to Rs19 billion. He also said he had given an identity to the Pakhtuns by renaming the province.
Govt failed to deliver on promises: Zardari
Again, criticising the current government for not initiating any mega project in Fata, he said, “PPP will bring mega projects to K-P and Fata.”
The former president once against reiterated his party’s stance of merging tribal areas with K-P.
“We want Fata to be a part of the province so that the people of the tribal areas can elect their own representative instead of a slave governor and slave president.”
He asked for an immediate extension in the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and high courts to Fata.
Zardari blames Nawaz for Mashal’s murder
PPP ready for elections
The co-chairman said, “This time, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asifa Bhutto Zardari will be in the field to contest the 2018 elections.”
He added: “This will bring the show of Mian Nawaz Sharif and the Kaptan to a permanent end.”
In 2013, the PPP was not allowed to even run the election campaign, he said, adding that the election was rigged by the PML-N, but this time around, they would not accept such elections.
Setting up PPP Secretariat in Fata
In a bid to strengthen his party in Fata, Zardari announced to set up a PPP Secretariat there.
He asked the party’s leadership to start preparations for the party’s convention in Fata in which he will convey the message of PPP to the tribal people.
The PPP co-chairman also assured the workers that this time party tickets would be given on the advice of party workers and only those members would be allowed to contest elections from the party’s platform who had either worked for the people or had the ability to raise issues and solve them.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari has said claimed that only the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will implement the tribal areas reforms package as work on the reforms had been initiated by the same party.
Addressing a convention of PPP office-bearers from Fata on Monday, Zardari lashed out at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for ‘its negligence’ in implementing the reforms package for mainstreaming the Fata region.
Provincial leadership of the party was also present at the convention held at the residence of Arbab Alamgir Khan.
“Do not expect anything from the incumbent rulers … they are incompetent in solving issues,” said the PPP co-chairman. “They are not going to do anything for the people of Fata as they are not serious in implementing the reforms.”
Rulers have turned Pakistan into 'Mughal empire': Zardari
Mismanagement marred the convention as a scuffle took place when workers, trying to reach the stage, were stopped. They protested and chanted slogans against Senior Vice President Akhunzada Chattan, the party’s chief in Fata and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Luckily, no one was seriously injured and the issue was resolved.
Explaining his party’s efforts in mainstreaming Fata, Zardari said, “Today, everyone is doing politics in Fata just because of the political parties act that we extended.”
“It was the PPP that took the initiative of reforming tribal areas by abolishing the centuries-old law,” he said, hoping that the Political Parties Act 2002 -- extended to Fata through a presidential order in 2011 -- would bring the people of the region into mainstream politics.
Zardari claimed to have increased the fund for Fata from Rs3 billion to Rs19 billion. He also said he had given an identity to the Pakhtuns by renaming the province.
Govt failed to deliver on promises: Zardari
Again, criticising the current government for not initiating any mega project in Fata, he said, “PPP will bring mega projects to K-P and Fata.”
The former president once against reiterated his party’s stance of merging tribal areas with K-P.
“We want Fata to be a part of the province so that the people of the tribal areas can elect their own representative instead of a slave governor and slave president.”
He asked for an immediate extension in the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and high courts to Fata.
Zardari blames Nawaz for Mashal’s murder
PPP ready for elections
The co-chairman said, “This time, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asifa Bhutto Zardari will be in the field to contest the 2018 elections.”
He added: “This will bring the show of Mian Nawaz Sharif and the Kaptan to a permanent end.”
In 2013, the PPP was not allowed to even run the election campaign, he said, adding that the election was rigged by the PML-N, but this time around, they would not accept such elections.
Setting up PPP Secretariat in Fata
In a bid to strengthen his party in Fata, Zardari announced to set up a PPP Secretariat there.
He asked the party’s leadership to start preparations for the party’s convention in Fata in which he will convey the message of PPP to the tribal people.
The PPP co-chairman also assured the workers that this time party tickets would be given on the advice of party workers and only those members would be allowed to contest elections from the party’s platform who had either worked for the people or had the ability to raise issues and solve them.