PPP labels Zardari's anti-army comments as personal opinion

Statement released by party says it believes in upholding the honour of Pakistan and its institutions

KARACHI: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Working Committee has termed former President Asif Ali Zardari’s statements against the military as his personal opinion,which is not endorsed by the party.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, party said the PPP believed in upholding the honour of Pakistan and its institutions, and the party co-chairman’s statements were issued in his personal capacity.

A detailed press release will be issued later during the day, the statement added.

In a surprising outburst ostensibly against the powerful security establishment, Zardari said on Tuesday that politicians were better suited to running the affairs of the country. “You are here for only three years,” he said in an apparent jab at the army chief.

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

The PPP co-chairman expressed annoyance at the purported character-assassination campaign against him and his party. “It needs to stop! There is a limit to everything.”

Warning the establishment, which he accused of tarnishing PPP’s and his image, Zardari 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.”

In response, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday censured Zardari for his outburst against the army, saying the PPP co-chairman’s speech was unacceptable in times of war.