Zardari assures people of transparent, timely elections

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday reassured the people that general elections would be transparent and would be held on time.
Addressing an Eid Milan party in Malikwal, Mandi Bahauddin, the president said those elected would get to rule the country for the next term, adding that electoral rolls were being made in a way that eliminated rigging.
The president said his party would respect the mandate of the people, therefore, all measures had been taken to ensure the holding of free and fair election. He said the preparation of voter’s lists and the appointment of an independent chief election commissioner were examples that exhibited the government’s intent.
The president said the situation in Karachi was not a failure of the government and terrorists were trying to aggravate the situation in Karachi in order to divert the government’s attention from the war on terror.
The president said conspiracies were being hatched against the incumbent government and Pakistan.
He reiterated that Pakistan’s survival was tied to democracy, adding that democracy had still to grow and prosper in the country.
“If democracy does not flourish, neither will the nation,” he added.
Zardari said though his rivals had been somewhat successful in their conspiracies, history would prove him right.
“Even our rivals accept that we have strengthened the parliament and transferred all powers to the representatives of the people,” he said.
“Like Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, I practice politics like I worship God. And I will wage war against those who disturb me in my worship,” he said.
Zardari said Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave poor the power to vote. “Now every political party has to reach out to the masses and ask for their favour and support,” he said. The president urged all political parties to end their differences and demonstrate tolerance. Recalling that he spent four years of his youth in the jails of Punjab, he said politics should never be turned into personal enmity.
He said there was a need to strengthen political parties at the grassroots level so that they could put the country on road to progress and prosperity.
Paying tribute to political parties, he said each party played its role in steering the country out of crises.
The president said he took along all political parties in order to secure the future of our children.
“Democracy is the future of our younger generation and those who are hatching conspiracies against democracy will never succeed in their nefarious plans, because the entire nation and its political leadership stand united in its support,” he said.
Referring to the PML-N, he said those who called themselves “lions” were of the opinion that the 2008 general election should be boycotted, but the PPP persuaded them to take part in the election and helped get rid of General (r) Musharraf. “They have parted ways with us, but we never closed our doors for them,” he added. Zardari said the attack on Malala was an attack on the education of women. “Those who shot at Malala represent a certain mindset that needed to be changed,” he said.
The president said the PPP was working hard to prepare Pakistan for the challenges of the 21st century, adding that the PPP had a vision to take Pakistan to new heights. “We want Pakistan to become a country that is feared by none. We are, therefore, working hard to strengthen Pakistan’s relations with other countries,” he said.