PPP stood by the army even when Bhutto was hanged: Kaira
PPP leader says party has always strengthened the national institution
PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira. PHOTO: PID
Lashing out at political leaders for misconstruing former president Asif Ali Zardari’s statement, Pakistan Peoples Party leader Qamar Zaman Kaira clarified on Thursday the party stands by the national institution.
“The PPP has always stood by the army,” Kaira asserted, while addressing the media.
Read: Angry outburst: PPP co-chairman fires broadside at establishment
Kaira said there is a "need to fully understand the context of the former president’s speech.”
He said the PPP has always strengthened the national institution. "Even when Bhutto was hanged, we blamed Ziaul Haq and his accomplices. We never blamed the institution."
Claiming that the former president had always lauded the army’s role in eliminating terrorism Kaira said, “We have already said we don’t want any hurdles in the military operation. Why then would you think we would say something that is considered anti-establishment.”
“Political leaders have misconstrued Zardari’s statement to make it more anti-establishment,” he added.
Read: PPP labels Zardari's anti-army comments as personal opinion
In a surprising outburst ostensibly against the powerful security establishment, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday that politicians were better suited to running the affairs of the country. “You are here for only three years,” he had said in an apparent jab at the army chief.
Read: With one voice politicians denounce Zardari’s tirade
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.”
Earlier, the PPP Central Working Committee termed Zardari’s statements against the military as his personal opinion,which was not endorsed by the party.
“The PPP has always stood by the army,” Kaira asserted, while addressing the media.
Read: Angry outburst: PPP co-chairman fires broadside at establishment
Kaira said there is a "need to fully understand the context of the former president’s speech.”
He said the PPP has always strengthened the national institution. "Even when Bhutto was hanged, we blamed Ziaul Haq and his accomplices. We never blamed the institution."
Claiming that the former president had always lauded the army’s role in eliminating terrorism Kaira said, “We have already said we don’t want any hurdles in the military operation. Why then would you think we would say something that is considered anti-establishment.”
“Political leaders have misconstrued Zardari’s statement to make it more anti-establishment,” he added.
Read: PPP labels Zardari's anti-army comments as personal opinion
In a surprising outburst ostensibly against the powerful security establishment, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday that politicians were better suited to running the affairs of the country. “You are here for only three years,” he had said in an apparent jab at the army chief.
Read: With one voice politicians denounce Zardari’s tirade
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.”
Earlier, the PPP Central Working Committee termed Zardari’s statements against the military as his personal opinion,which was not endorsed by the party.