–PPP co-chairman says no action taken against TLP leaders even though they instigated protesters to become violent
KHAIRPUR: Former president and co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government gave a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to clerics who used derogatory language.
Speaking to reporters in Khairpur, Zardari said the government had given an NRO last week, referring to an agreement between the government and protesters belonging to the hardline Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) who staged sit-ins across the country following a Supreme Court verdict acquitting Christian woman Aasia Bibi in a blasphemy case.
Zardari said, “The clerics who used derogatory language against the prime minister, Supreme Court judges and the army chief were given an NRO.”
“Those 1,200 poor people who were captured on TV will be arrested but an NRO was given to those who provoked the vandals,” the former president stated.
Commenting on the government approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout, Zardari said, “I don’t think we should go to the IMF. We should instead strengthen our local markets.”
Further, the PPP co-chairman said, “When we were in the government, we worked. We paid people for their land and prepared a feasibility draft for Bhasha Dam.”
Stating that the people are worried and the prices of all commodities have increased, Zardari said, “When petrol and gas prices are increased then prices of all goods will rise.”
“U-turns are always taken, let’s see what happens,” he continued.
Pointing to PPP leader Manzoor Wassan, who was accompanying him, Zardari said, “Wassan dreamt that the incumbent PTI government will not complete its term.”
Further, speaking on the ongoing inquiries by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Zardari said, “No bureaucrat is ready to work in such circumstances.”
Responding to a question on former premier Nawaz Sharif, Zardari said, “Maybe, Nawaz and Maryam Nawaz are cooling down the situation.”
