Sharif’s govt better than military dictatorship: Zardari

• PPP co-chairman says his party will not support Imran Khan’s sit-in and will wait for its own turn
• PPP Punjab president Wattoo lauds Zardari’s efforts on PPP’s Foundation Day, lashes out at govt’s ‘anti-people’ policies given that ‘there is no threat of martial law imposition in country’

Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari Sunday declared Nawaz Sharif-led incumbent government “better than the military dictatorship”. “Sharif’s government is better than those who say meray azeez hamwatano (my dear countrymen),” said Zardari on Sunday, adding that PPP would not play a part to derail democracy.

Addressing a convention in connection with PPP’s 47th Foundation Day, Zardari said, “PPP has rendered more sacrifice than any other political party for the restoration of democracy in the country and it will not let the boat of democracy capsize.”

Zardari insisted that PPP would not become a part of the “ongoing conspiracy being hatched in Islamabad”, hinting at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sit-in in the federal capital.

There is a wide difference between PPP’s and PTI’s politics, maintained the PPP co-chairman.

“PTI chief represents a narrow mindset while PPP outlook is forward-looking,” he claimed.

Zardari said there were many “misdirected children” in today’s politics, and refused to embark on the “four-month long TV drama”.

“We are not in a hurry, the captain may keep on bowling,” he said, adding that Khan’s politics seemed to be directed by the “umpire’s finger”.

Talking about chants of “Go Nawaz Go” and “Ro Imran Ro” during PPP public gatherings, Zaradri said, “I cannot stop PPP workers from chanting whatever slogans they want to.”

NO SIT-IN, BUT IT’S TIME TO SPEAK UP:

Though Zardari expressed no support for the anti-government protest sit-ins, PPP Punjab President Manzoor Wattoo insisted that as there was no danger of martial law in the country anymore “so it is the right time to raise a voice against the government’s anti-people policies”.

Addressing the 47th Foundation Day Convention of the party Sunday, Watoo lauded the “successful efforts” of PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari in “salvaging democracy in the country”, adding that the people of Pakistan consider Zardari to be a symbol of “democracy’s savoir”.

Wattoo said Zardari’s role for the cause of democracy would be cited in the country’s political history as a “shining example”, adding that Zardari “rescued democratic dispensation under the most difficult conditions”.

PPP LASHES PUT AT GOVT:

Highlighting the government’s anti-people policies, Wattoo said, “The common man is leading a miserable life due to price hike, unemployment, load shedding of electricity and gas and the worsening law and order situation.”

“The government’s act of over-billing of electricity to the tune of Rs70 billion and then refusal to give an explanation is unforgiving,” he said, adding that farmers are also undergoing trying times due to unfavorable policies.

Wattoo demanded the Provincial Finance Award Commission to ward off the “unfair distribution” of development funds among the districts of Punjab. “The development of big cities at the expense of small and far-flung districts defies social justice,” he said.

Wattoo appreciated the efforts of PYO, PSF, Allied Wings and the youth for decorating Lahore for PPP’s foundation day celebrations and thanked them on behalf of the PPP leadership, including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who was not present at the occassion.

Later, PPP South Punjab President Makhdoom Shahbuddin said the final push would be carried out by PPP.

Minorities’ Alliance chief Paul Bhatti appreciated PPP for its soft corner for minorities, adding that PPP took the “unprecedented decision of granting of reserved seats to minorities in the Senate”.

“PPP created a Ministry of Harmony but the present government merged it with Ministry of Religious Affairs,” said bhatti, adding that it was “an unfriendly act towards minorities”.

PPP leader Jahangir Badar said that the PPP government, from 2008 to 2013, completed its tenure by taking other political forces into confidence, adding that it was “service to strengthening democracy in the country”.

A unanimous resolution was passed to express the confidence of the delegates in the party leadership. PPP leaders Khurshid Shah, Qaim Ali Shah, Rehman Milk, Aitzaz Ehsan, Manzoor Wassan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Mehreen Raja and Raja Riaz were also present.