Qureshi 'disturbed' over Zardari's anti-establishment speech

PTI leader demands government to make public the report presented by the DG Rangers

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi termed Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari's anti-establishment speech 'disturbing'.

"I am surprised and concerned about the sudden and radical shift of Zardari's behaviour. A man who usually keeps his cool," Qureshi said, while addressing the media outside Parliament on Wednesday.

Read: Angry outburst: PPP co-chairman fires broadside at establishment

Qureshi demanded the government to make public the report presented by the DG Rangers and suggested the PPP-led Sindh government to either defend itself in court against the allegations or act against the 24 people mentioned in the report.

Brushing aside the possibilities of a military takeover, the PTI leader said, “It is not possible in the presence of vibrant social and independent media.”

"What made Zardari adopt such harsh language," Qureshi questioned, adding there was consensus in favour of democracy and the political forces will not allow it to be derailed.

Read: Nisar calls Zardari’s speech ‘insulting’

However, he stressed the need to hold those accountable who looted nation’s wealth. “People need to know who plundered their wealth and they want change,” Qureshi said.

Commenting on Zardari’s apparent jab at the army chief's three-year stint in power, Qureshi said, “Everyone has to go, be it an army general or a political party head."

Concluding his address, the former foreign minister suggested that any issue between the federal government and the provincial government of Sindh should be discussed and resolved during a one-on-one session of the party heads instead of hurling allegations in public.

On Tuesday, in a surprising outburst ostensibly against the powerful security establishment, Zardari said that politicians were better suited to running the affairs of the country.

Warning the establishment, which he accused of tarnishing PPP’s and his image, Zardari had said, “Anyone who tries to disturb us will get a befitting response. Be wary! If this doesn’t stop now, I shall come out with a list of generals who have been accused starting from the time Pakistan came into being. And then you’ll spend the rest of your lives providing explanations.”