Nawaz has thrown country into abyss: Zardari

MORO: Former president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has claimed that if he had not empowered parliament, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would have opted to become the president for the rest of his life. He also said that Nawaz Sharif had thrown the country into an abyss while politics was not suitable for Imran Khan.

Zardari said this while addressing a political convention here on Saturday. He was of the view that politics required decisions that had long-lasting impact. The former president also claimed credit for establishing better trade ties with China, which is Pakistan’s neighbouring country. He said that the trade ties with China would pave the way for the betterment of Pakistan’s future generations.

In his address, Zardari also highlighted the issue of Kashmir, adding that Pakistan was pursuing the cause of Kashmir not because of its territory expansion plans but because it was its own issue.

He stressed the need for appointing a foreign minister and empowering the said ministry, adding that the country was facing a defeat on the front of foreign relations.

“Despite the recent critical situation, the prime minister was not taking any measures to bring it under control as he was busy playing with his pets in Murree,” the former president alleged.

Zardari also criticised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s abysmal attendance in the National Assembly.

He said that the premier had been present in only four sessions of the assembly in the past four years.

“Mian Sahib, you called yourself the leader of the House and the prime minister, but even Muhammad Khan Junejo attended more assembly sessions than you did,” the former president said, making a clear reference to former PM Junejo’s short-lived turbulent journey in office.

Zardari, who raised concerns about the PM’s attendance in the assembly, said that such a precedent would only lead to poor attendance rate in the assembly sessions by future leaders.

Talking about the Kashmir issue, he said that the Kashmiri cause was very close to the nation’s heart. He assured the party workers that future lies with their party only. “If there is a future, it lies with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP),” he said, adding a veiled reference that those who were switching loyalties (from PPP) were rotten eggs.

“Even captain (Imran Khan) was not taking them seriously and using them for photo sessions only,” he added. “Mark my words; he (Imran) will not issue them party tickets.”

Zardari said that the country possesses each and every resource required for progress except a sound mind. In this connection, he highlighted his decisions regarding electricity production and complained that Islamabad and bureaucracy did not pay attention to them.

He also assured the party workers that the future of party was safe and sound and his children, who are the upcoming leadership of the party, were vigilant for the rights of masses.

“Feudal lords have been ruling the region and they did not serve the public but now the future would be brighter,” he promised.—Agencies

Our correspondent adds: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah has claimed that only the PPP can take the country forward.

Talking to the media in Naushahro Feroze, Shah said that the PPP had introduced pro-people politics and gave voice to the voiceless and downtrodden segment of the society. He added that politics based on lies did not last long. He added that the PPP wanted such a political system in the country where farmers and poor considered them rulers. Shah said that during the five years of the last PPP government, there was not a single political prisoner in the country. He called for the need to change the system, adding that there was no debate to change the system going on at present.

Talking about Dasti, he said that Jamshed Dasti’s statement outside the court was really painful and shocking that he was being treated like an animal.

Shah said such cruelty towards MNA Jamshed Dasti, by the Punjab government, was ‘immoral, inhumane and undemocratic’. He said that Dasti was targeted and victimised because he talked about the rights of the innocent people and talked against the rulers in parliament. He added that Dasti was also targeted because he belonged to a poor family and was not an influential person.

He said that he was thankful to the judges who had taken notice of Dasti’s statement for constituting a probe team to investigate the matter.