- PPP leader says he is not extending any favour to Sharif govt but making efforts for reconciliation for democracy’s sake
- Urges all parties concerned to resolve political crisis through serious talks
Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Zardari Friday condemned allegations levelled by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar against Aitzaz Ahsan and asked for his apology.
However, Zardari told reporters at Zardari House here that he and the party are ready to “move on” from the incident.
“We will take it [the confrontation] as a part of democracy and move on,” Zardari said. “People have their opinions, and certain things were said that shouldn’t be … Aitzaz was justified.” The former president said Aitzaz Ahsan is an asset of the party and he is proud of him, adding that PPP is used to playing on bad pitches.
Zardari was also careful to distance himself from Nawaz Sharif’s government, stating that he has not “extended any favour – not before, not now,” to the prime minister, but is actually acting upon the “political ideology of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and late Benazir Bhutto”.
“I am in Islamabad for the sake of democracy and not the prime minister,” the PPP co-chairman said.
In fact, the former president claimed that Nawaz approached him with an offer to take turns ruling the country after the 2008 elections, which PPP won.
“After 2008 elections, PML-N leadership asked me to take my turn and let them take the next turn,” he said. “We took along every one. Mian sahib said to me this is your turn. We will take the next turn. I said no. You take Punjab,” Zardari remarked.
Zardari said that the PPP condemned the Model Town incident but added there should be a manner of protests.
“The current political crisis occurred due to rigid stance of the parties concerned. The government was also under siege during the PPP’s tenure but it appeased everyone and tackled the situation by apologizing to everyone,” he said.
The former president said he endured five years in jail during Musharraf’s rule, but sent him back with dignity when he left the Presidency. He said it is good that the government is continuing with the PPP’s China policy but lamented that continuity was not seen in the power policy. He said the postponement of the Chinese president’s visit in this scenario when he is also visiting India is worrisome.
He again urged the PML-N government, PTI and PAT to resolve the prevailing political crisis through serious talks. “We will not let democracy derailed come what may,” he concluded.