Bittersweet tribute: PM Nawaz bids adieu to Zardari

Both leaders set aside rivalries, acknowledge political achievements.

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday struck a rare note of harmony in the country’s otherwise bitterly polarised atmosphere, setting aside the decades-long rivalry between their political parties as the premier feted the outgoing president at a lavish lunch in the federal capital.

For the first time in the country’s history, a new president has been elected before the departure of the president in office.

Zardari and Nawaz, in their notes at the luncheon at the Prime Minister’s House, endorsed the support extended to each other – aiming perhaps to bury some if not all their political differences in previous years. The tributes flowed and the rancour of the past seemed to evaporate.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lauded the outgoing president for promoting the politics of reconciliation, in acknowledgement of the smooth and democratic transfer of power that had taken place following the May 11 elections.

The premier said that President Zardari played a vital role in strengthening democracy after the assassination of his wife and the then Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson Benazir Bhutto. After her death, President Zardari took over the party as co-chairman.

The PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz have been rivals since the late 1980s when the latter was founded. The two parties formed oscillating governments from 1988 to 1999.

The historical moment of Prime Minister Nawaz bidding a jovial farewell to President Zardari was encapsulated when he recalled, “The PM House reminded me today of my wife and children who were arrested from this place – feeling a little heavy-hearted.”

The prime minister said that though he had both sweet and bitter memories, he was bidding adieu to President Zardari with only pleasant ones.

It is a unique moment in history that a democratically elected president is leaving his office with dignity and honour after completing his tenure, while a newly elected president is about to take office, he said.

The prime minister said that time had come for the country to be ruled democratically. He voiced hope that the president-elect Mamnoon Hussain would also play a positive role in strengthening the country’s democratic institutions.

Recalling the signing of the Charter of Democracy with the late Benazir Bhutto in Dubai in 2006, Prime Minister Nawaz said a spirit of goodwill will always exist between the PML-N and the PPP for reinstating democracy in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, in his remarks‚ President Zardari said that despite hurdles, he had made relentless efforts to uphold the supremacy of the constitution and democratic values. “The PPP will continue to support the PML-N government during its five-year tenure and resolve the challenges being faced by the country.”

Zardari said that all the political parties should stand together for the future of the country otherwise it could face a Syria-like crisis.

The president said the national reconciliation policy during the last five years led to the unanimous passage of constitutional amendments, including the 18th Amendment. He expressed gratitude to the PML-N for supporting the PPP government while it ruled.

Heads of main political parties, Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman, provincial governors and chief ministers attended the luncheon. However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf did not attend the luncheon despite being formally invited.

Earlier‚ Prime Minister Nawaz held a meeting with President Zardari and discussed with him the overall situation of the country and major issues, including the restoration of law and order in Karachi.

Sindh lawmakers meet

A delegation of parliamentarians from Sindh led by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah met with President Zardari at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday. Senator Raza Rabbani, former interior minister Senator Rehman Malik, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon and others came to congratulate the president on completing his tenure.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.