LAHORE: Former president Asif Ali Zardari, in an interview with senior analyst and Pakistan Today Editor Arif Nizami in Channel 92’s programme ‘Ho Kya Raha Hai?’, has claimed that former premier Nawaz Sharif’s own people revolted against him in Balochistan.
Zardari claimed that the revolt in Balochistan against Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s (PML-N) government was led by the provincial lawmakers of his own party whom he had overlooked during his current tenure. He said that the people of Balochistan have enough self-respect to realise when they are being sidelined.
He said that unlike PML-N, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has always shown love to the Baloch people.
“Our affiliation with various Baloch families spans decades and we have always loved them,” he said.
He also said that most Baloch people now reside in Karachi and they are close to the Sindhis. He further claimed that his party would be successful in Balochistan and Sindh during the next general election.
Zardari also reiterated his previous claim of Nawaz only being interested in creating ‘Greater Punjab’. He said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Pakistan was in his own interest.
“Pakistan had given so much to Nawaz but he still hoards anti-Pakistan sentiments,” he said.
Talking about the upcoming Senate elections, he said that PPP had nominated people belonging to renowned political families while PML-N had nominated Nawaz’s closest aides.
Responding to Arif Nizami’s question regarding PPP’s governance in Sindh, the former president said that the effects of PPP’s good governance can only be experienced personally and cannot be seen on TV. He alleged that TV channels are paid to broadcast anti-PPP material.
Asked whether the other Bhutto children will step into politics as well, he said that his youngest daughter Asfa Bhutto Zardari will and claimed that she will be elected as an MPA in the next general election.