I can bring down the govt whenever I want, claims Zardari

In a thinly veiled jibe at Nawaz Sharif, PPP stalwart says Pakistan is under threat from a man sitting in Jati Umra

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said he can bring down the PML-N government whenever he wants.

Zardari remarked while addressing a sit-in led by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) along with and other opposition parties against the ruling government, demanding Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah’s resignation over their alleged role in the Model Town tragedy.

At least 14 PAT workers were killed in June 2014 in police action against encroachments outside the Minhajul Quran headquarters.

"I can oust them [rulers] from power whenever I want and nothing would stop me from doing that," Zardari said.

Continuing his tirade against Sharif, the PPP stalwart said that Pakistan is under threat from a man sitting in Jati Umra, in a thinly veiled jibe at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s chief Nawaz Sharif.

"We will not let them become successful," he told the political workers. However, in the same breath he added: "But they are not letting the democracy sail smoothly."

"These rulers don't have links with Pakistan but with Jati Umra only," Zardari said.

Meanwhile, speaking to the large number of anti-government gathering, PAT chief said he doesn't intend to break the law or take an unconstitutional step, but rather seeks justice for the martyrs of the Model Town tragedy.

Meanwhile, deposed premier Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter to comment on the "empty chairs in the rally".

یہ خالی کرسیاں نہیں، عوام کی طرف سےسازشوں اور سازشیوں کو واضح اور دو ٹوک جواب ھے ! pic.twitter.com/NKa9ELGy8R

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) January 17, 2018

Earlier today, the Lahore High Court granted permission to the opposition parties to hold the anti-government power show till midnight over the Model Town carnage on Lahore’s Mall Road.

The court also directed Lahore police to provide security to the sit-in, but stated that the provincial government can take action if the sit-in were to become violent.