“We are all working together,” he said, while stressing on the need for dialogue. “Democracy means never shutting the door.”
The former president made a rare appearance before the media following his day-long trip to Lahore, where he met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif along with other PML-N members as well as leaders of various other parties, including the PML-Q and JI.
The former president was noticeably in a good mood while responding to questions posed by media persons, during which he said, "Conspiracies are part and parcel of politics."
Maintaining a diplomatic stance, Zardari said, "We welcome the PTI government, it is their first time on the national front."
He also said that the PPP acknowledges the PTI's right to hold on to their position when he was asked about the party's decision to resign from the National Assembly.
“One democratic government should not challenge another democratic government, especially through street power,” the PPP chief said, adding, “Under no circumstances should democracy be challenged or derailed.”
Zardari also advised the government to deal with everything in a peaceful manner, and proudly said that the PPP had "completed five years making peace."
“I am for Pakistan, I am not for anybody else. I have given this Parliament power,” he said.
The former president also added, “At this moment, we need to focus on standing with our armed forces who are engaged in an operation.”
COMMENTS (29)
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It is expedient to pretend that there is no third umpire, even if there is one. All indications, however, point out to there being a scriptwriter behind the entire plot.
Respect for Mr. Zardari. What a true Democrat, Haq Zardari!
A criminal has no place to pass judgement
Sharif government was duly and democratically elected by the voters. A small degree of voting fraud is inevitable must be expected in South Asian countries because the very idea of democracy is only few decades old. Democratic order should not be allowed to be bull dozed by mobocracy.
To the comment by Saima:
We don't know who is the true loser is? In Pakistan sadly honest person cannot survive wheather he/she is a politician or just a common person. But it's true that everyone in power surely abuse it to the max. All politicians are same regardless of thier party affiliation. As far as your suggestion about election every six month take a look at Japan where they have government changes on avg 12-15 months yet the country is a Economic power house and is a member of G8. What that proves is regardless of who is in power thier main goal is to keep the country on the right track so it's economy continues to grow. Unfortunately Pakistan is not so lucky because everyone in power wants to fill thier pickets and leave as soon as thier terms are over.
The wise man of Gotham has spoken!!!! Zardari has earned billions $, he should shut up.
Yes, whatever we been saying all these year about Mr. Zardari is true.
Yes, whatever we are saying about Nawaz Sharif's shortcomings are also true.
But let's give a credit here to Mr. Zardari for standing for democracy, NOT Nawaz Sharif. Instead of insisting on changing government by street power, PTI needs to focus on electoral reforms based on their last experience and in the next election let the winner take all!
A corrupt politician is trying his level best to save a guy from his league not surprising at all.
Shameless individuals. Period.
we need freedom from Imran Khan. for his prime ministrship, he is ruining the whole setup
Democracy only belongs to pml n and PPP as they r humans rest are aliens.
LOL!! Now every Noora League fan is calling Zardari a "mature" "statesman", untill two months ago he was the root of all evil and the most corrupt person in Pakistan history!! What a joke these two status quo parties are!!
AA Zardari is a true democrat.
I wonder... Where are Iftikhar Chaudhry, Ramday, Pasha, and Mansoor Ijaz these days? Spending lives in some gutter. With their deeds, they blackened their own faces.
it would be great favour if he let us live with peace. for the sake of his greed to be PM, he is rattling an well functioning elected set up. his remarks to do not pay taxes and send money to Pakistan through houndy, clearly tell his caliber
Pakistan don't need the Mughal Emperors of Raiwind. The two Shariffs have to go. These corrupt politicians talk about democracy and yet refuse to accept the supremacy of law. Where is the FIR against the murderers in Lahore???
@Saima: Isuppose you voted for NS.
O ! how you wish that were true
Very balanced, very mature statement.
If every loser brings ten thousand people and siege Islamabad to meet his demand for re-election, then there will general elections every six months in Pakistan.
Why and how there can be discussion to come to an amicable solution between Imran and Nawaz when the two are nothing less than poles apart? Imran wants PM Nawaz resignation and PM says come what may I am tendering resignation. One shall have to accommodate the other otherwise if not then I say with full conviction and confidence that the riddle will not solved till dooms day what to talk of this century. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / zaidifirmerdiplomat@hotmail.com
I love you Mr Zardari
Imran should end this drama cum concert and go home. All political forces have united to save democracy.
People consider this setup as MONARCHY as well as based on fraud elections. why those in power are worried if they are TRUE DEMOCRATS from free fair and transparent elections.
Well said.. Wah Zardari wah..
These corrupt politicians should not be allowed to hijack future of Pakistan so what Zardari says has NO value.
PTI is an upstart, unrefined, and newbie in the field of politics. It will take them years to mature into a refined political force. However, I don't think the whole nation needs to pay the price for their irreverence.
Zardari has proved himself to be a true democrat and statesman. Despite all the conspiracies , bad mouting and back stabbing by Sharifs during the PPP government, Zardari is not ready to weaken an elected PM at any cost. Salute you sir.