Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has welcomed the speech of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the National Assembly on Monday, declaring that the PPP will support the government in carrying out the operation against terrorists to the finish.
In a statement, the former president said that the PPP coalition government had also launched an operation against militants in Swat in 2009 after exhausting all avenues of negotiations.
“There is a time when delayed decisions result in inviting crises instead of avoiding them. A decision delayed is not a problem avoided but a crisis invited,” he said.
The former president said that any delay in taking the terrorists head on could have had catastrophic consequences for the nation.
Zardari said that the entire nation, including the parliament, government and political parties should now demonstrate resolve and commitment to fight the battle till the terrorists are completely defeated.
Zardari called upon the government to prepare a master plan for the rehabilitation of hordes of people who will be displaced as a result of the operation, suggesting that the government set up a Victim’s Support Fund for the purpose.
He said that internally displaced people, defence forces, police, civil armed forces and the common people who have suffered grievously due to militancy are the heroes of the nation.
“This is also a time to end the confusion and debate over whether to fight or not,” said Zardari. “Those who argue that the operation will result in bloodshed should not forget that retreating now could be even bloodier,” he said.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also extended full support to the military operation launched against terrorists in North Waziristan, saying that all Pakistanis stand behind the armed forces in this hour of need.
“To save our future generations from the monster of terrorism and extremism, we need to unite and decisively target those who mow down innocent people and wish to impose their nefarious agendas on this great nation,” said Bilawal.
“This is the time to save our country, and our people from destruction at the hands of beasts who have already taken over 50,000 lives and injured many more,” he said.
