The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is still indecisive about political campaigning against the Lahore High Court (LHC) decision against the dual offices of President Asif Ali Zardari.
Contrary to PPP Punjab chief Imtiaz Safdar Warraich’s claims of a “series of PPP protests across Punjab”, no political activity has been seen to confront the LHC decision. Unveiling the schedule of protests, Warraich had said the PPP would start protests from all divisional headquarters from May 19.
Per the schedule of the protests, massive processions were planned in Rawalpindi on May 20, in Sargodha on May 21 and in Multan on May 25. The PP Punjab was also to organise a seminar on May 23 in Lahore followed by a huge protest rally on May 27. But so far, there has been no sign of the organisation of such events since Wednesday, the day Warraich announced the schedule.
In this uncertain situation, the PPP Lahore announced to hold a rally in favour of party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on May 22. PPP Lahore chief Samina Khalid Ghurki made the announcement on Friday. On the other hand, PPP leaders instead of taking practical initiatives, confined themselves to releasing press statements.
PPP Parliamentary Leader PPP in the Punjab Assembly Zulfikar Gondal said before appealing to higher courts and the masses, the PPP wanted the LHC to clearly define the political activities in which President Zardari was found involved and should specifically restrict him from doing so. He said the president was not supposed to merely administer oath from ministers or call on foreign diplomats, “he has to manage political activities in the country and for the purpose, he can meet political workers in the Presidency without any restriction”.
Gondal said the PPP had a right to protest politically against the decision and would do so. Samina Ghurki said the PPP respected all institutions of the country and did not believe in taking revenge from any individual or institution. She said political protest was their right and they would not withdraw from it at any cost. She said the PPP was the largest party of the country having a tremendous record of struggle for the democracy and the PPP co-chairman had taken decisions in the larger interest of the country.
Former minister of state for interior Tasneem Ahmed Qureshi said PPP workers would never endure any tyranny or exploitation because democracy was restored after great sacrifices by its leaders. He said President Asif Ali Zardari made sacrifices for democracy and that the president was part and parcel of the democratic system and parliament.
