Opposition to go for fresh elections: Zardari

Says it's time for new generation of politicians, while veterans sit back and take rest

ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday termed new election a solution to all problems in the country, stressing that the time had come for the politicians from the younger generation would lead the opposition while the veterans would "sit back and take rest".

Speaking to media after getting pre-arrest bail plea in fake bank accounts case at Islamabad High Court (IHC), the co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said that he had no intention of boycotting the National accountability proceedings against him.

"In my view, it's the time for the new generation. Only Bilawal, Asfandyar Wali's son [Aimal Wali Khan], Nawaz Sharif's daughter [Maryam Nawaz] can lead the opposition. All the old politicians will sit back and rest," he told reporters.

When asked if the new alliance of the opposition parties would be strong enough, because it was not case in the last nine months, Zardari said that opposition had not given the proposal a thought in that period.

"It's just the beginning, keep looking forward," he said of the Iftar-dinner hosted by the PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday, which was attended by all the major opposition leaders, including Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

He added that opposition would go for fresh elections in the country, where "senior political leaders" would be rested to provide an opportunity for leaders like Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to lead.

When his comment were sought over Maryam Nawaz's remarks of "fake prime minister" for Imran Khan, the former president said that his party had been described him as a "selected prime minister" from the beginning.

Zardari said that he would not boycott the NAB proceedings. "We won't boycott NAB, we will wear it out. If we boycotted, it will be said that we aren't respecting the law," he said, responding to a reporter's question.

The former president appeared unperturbed by his bashing by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, particularly, the critical remarks from the Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Information Dr Firdaus Ashiq Awan. "May God have mercy upon those who talk against me. There is no tax on talking."

Responding to another question about Nawaz Sharif, he said that health of the former prime minister was deteriorating. "I will meet him, if necessary, and if he asked, we have to lodge a sit-in, we will be bringing our containers."