Coalition welcomes, but opposition disappointed by Zardari’s address

Hailing President Asif Ali Zardari, leaders of coalition parties on Tuesday said the president made a positive and balanced speech which augured well for democracy and the federation, while the opposition called the speech disappointing, as no issue being faced by the country was touched upon.
Welcoming President Asif Ali Zardari’s speech, senior leader of Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Haji Adeel said the president spoke from the core of his heart and expressed some of his woes clearly.
“The president candidly spoke about his woes about dissemination of certain disinformation regarding his illness and court’s certain interest in some of the cases and unnecessary delays in hearing of others,” Adeel said, adding that rumours about the president not fit to function as president had certainly pained the president.
He said the president expressed his sorrow over certain attempts being made to tailor democracy. “The speech of the president was balanced, but simultaneously a candid expression of his feelings. The media, which expected the president to deliver a broadside against certain quarters, was disappointed,” Adeel said.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain welcomed President Asif Ali Zardari’s address at Garhi Khuda Bux, saying moderate political actions were good for democracy.
Kamil Ali Agha, secretary information of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), called President Zardari’s speech “balanced and positive”. “It was a balanced speech and his remarks about saving the federation from disintegration were very positive … he also adopted a mature approach on talking about political issues and opponents,” he said. Agha said his complaint with the judiciary was an unusual thing. “Actually, he questioned why the judiciary had singled him out … it is his personal opinion … he might have some concerns about the judiciary but I cannot comment on them,” he added.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmed said President Zardari’s speech was very disappointing. JUI-F spokesman Maulana Amjad said President Zardari’s speech was vague and ambiguous. PML-N Secretary Information Mushahid Ullah Khan said President Zardari’s comments had no value for the party. He called Zardari’s speech a “pack of requests.” PML-N senator Pervaiz Rashid said “last year, Zardari maligned Nawaz Sharif on Benazir’s death anniversary, but the PML-N did not agitate and this year he praised Nawaz and the party had no good feelings”.