ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) that came into power through political strength, power of votes and support of the masses, would sit in opposition if it lost the masses’ support.
“We will remain in power until we have the support of masses… until we have political strength and force… until we have power of votes. It is our right,” he remarked while addressing a function on the Pakistan Sweet Home, organised by Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal at the Presidency.
The president said, “If the PPP loses the elections it will sit in opposition,” and that he himself would lead the opposition. “We never loved these walls. The PPP never let the power to become its need… never thought to be a ruling party,” Zardari remarked.
He said that the people voted for the PPP in the name of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, and because of the sacrifices of rendered by its leaders and workers, who faced various difficulties and were even whipped during the dictatorial rule of General Ziaul Haq.
President Zardari recalled that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto led a 17-member opposition after the 1996 general election, adding that it was her vision about the importance of parliament and democracy, which needed to be followed by all political forces.
He said that strengthening the Parliament and democracy was vital for stronger institutions in the country, adding that if the PPP would have boycotted the 2008 elections after the BB’s assassination, it could have weakened the institutions.
PPP not power hungry, says Zardari
