State has not failed in Karachi, says Zardari
President Asif Ali Zardari has rubbished talk of the state’s failure in maintaining law and order in Karachi, saying that anti-democracy elements were attempting to destabilise the country.
Karachi has been rocked by another wave of political and sectarian violence over the week. Nearly 50 people have been killed, raising serious questions about the Sindh government’s ability to restore order in the financial capital of the country.
The government has come under scathing criticism from the opposition as well as allies in both houses of parliament.
“If someone thinks of destabilising Pakistan, he has a wrong insight,” the president said, adding that the country, whose power rests with its people, could not be weakened.
Addressing an Eid Milan event hosted by the Pakistan Peoples Party in Malakwal city of Mandi Bahauddin district, Zardari delivered the first half of his speech in Punjabi – a gesture which was greeted by the audience with rapturous applause.
Describing democracy as the only way forward towards progress and prosperity, the president urged all political parties to work to strengthen democracy. He also assured that the next general elections would be held in a free, fair and transparent manner.
The president warned that democracy in Pakistan still had some shortcomings – but stressed that there was a need to rectify the problems with a collective political vision.
About the main opposition party, the president said even though the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had parted ways with the PPP, it did not mean the two parties had become enemies. Referring to the Supreme Court verdict in the Asghar Khan case petition, President Zardari said Benazir Bhutto had been vindicated by the decision as it had rightly pointed that the results of the general election were snatched from her.
“I want that the child of a poor enjoy the same rights as the child of an industrialist,” he said, adding that the he had the desire that every child in the country enjoy his rights with equality. President Zardari earlier unveiled several development projects for Mandi Bahauddin district.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2012.
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No one should blame PPP for sectarian violence in Karachi. PPP is in coalition with MQM and other parties. PPP played always vital role in controlling the situation of Karachi but it is also necessary that MQM and ANP equally play their role. One should not forget that PPP despite having major vote bank in various areas of Karachi conducted operation. Here the role of MQM itself is dubious because of its maligned past. I strongly believe that basic reason of violence is clash of MQM with other parties like ANP and its factions. MQM is bigger party and must realize its responsibilities shunning the politics of violence. Despite this walk outs of MQM and threats to disband coalition also show immature mindset of MQM. MQM must bridge its differences with ANP and other factions in order to restore peace in Karachi.
More than 1000 people have been killed in karachi in target killings over the last year and he has the balls to say that State has not failed in Karachi? It is an utter failure of the PPP govt. If you recruit jialas in police, they wont go after PPP gangsters. Hence, PPP, MQM, and ANP are responsible for killings in karachi. These are political killings by land mafias. It's all about gaining political control of karachi before next elections.
We don't want your so called Democracy .
Now all these STATEMENTS are expected by you .
You have Failed in Karachi & in Pakistan . No way your getting sympathy vote again no more chances .