Asif Zardari and his daughter wave to the crowd in Naudero. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari has called upon his staunch critic and political nemesis, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, to return to parliament and join hands with the country’s political forces for formation of an independent and strong election commission.
Addressing a gathering in connection with 36th death anniversary of PPP’s founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto at the Naudero House in Larkana, Zardari congratulated the PTI chief over the formation of a judicial commission which has been tasked to investigate rigging allegations in the 2013 elections. However, in a vague reference he reminded ‘Kaptaan’ that some points were missing in the Terms of Reference of the commission.
Addressing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Zardari said: “We supported you in time of crisis and will do so in the times to come, but make sure you also stand by us and do not abandon us in difficult times.” He was referring to PPP’s support to the ruling PML-N when tens of thousands of supporters of Imran Khan and populist cleric Dr Tahirul Qadri were camping outside the Parliament House seeking to overthrow the Nawaz government.
“We are strictly following the reconciliation policy of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto,” he added.
Complaining about frequent long-hours power outages and gas load-shedding in Sindh, Zardari asked the federal government to take all the four provinces into confidence on the chronic energy crisis.
Referring to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, the PPP co-chairperson said it was a conspiracy to weaken the Muslim world, adding that rich countries have to sell their arms to keep their economies afloat. “The Himalayas are on fire and this fire is threatening Islamic countries,” he added.
“We all respect the Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina and every Muslim is ready to sacrifice his life to safeguard these holy places, but we should take extra care in dealing with this matter. Let a joint session of parliament take a decision on this matter. If the government takes a decision on its own, then history will not forget this mistake,” he said.
He also urged his party leaders and Sindh cabinet to spend more time in solving the problems of party workers. He admitted that PPP’s ministers have failed to come up to the expectations of party workers and people.
“In the next elections, we will award tickets after consulting party workers and central executive committee,” he said. “Today we are in the opposition, but one of our workers is Senate’s chairman,” he added.
Top PPP leaders, including Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Senator Aitizaz Ahsan, also spoke at the occasion. Strict security measures were taken at the venue and heavy contingents of police and rangers had literally cordoned off the Naudero House.
Earlier, organisers had to change venue of the function from Garhi Khuda Bux – near mausoleum of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir Bhutto – to the Naudero House due to Friday evening’s heavy rainfall.
ZA Bhutto’s vision still relevant: Bilawal
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who has distanced himself from the party affairs apparently due to his differences with his father Asif Ali Zardari, said the vision of the PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is as relevant today as it was 36 years back.
“Today in 2015, we would like to build on that vision – of a Pakistan working in cooperation to further the democratic process, so that Pakistan has the opportunity of becoming a peaceful, prosperous and progressive state,” he said, addressing a gathering in London in connection with Bhutto’s anniversary.
He said the Muslim world today is beset by conflict and strife. “Fanaticism, intolerance and sectarianism are impeding the march of Muslims into the 21st century. If Bhutto’s alternative vision for the Muslim world and his work towards peace and cooperation would have been allowed to continue the situation had been different,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2015.
COMMENTS (4)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ