KARACHI – President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has said that the Parliament, Opposition and Establishment do not want to see the present democratic system derailed, as it is the right of the elected government to complete its five-year tenure.
“No one but political clowns, having American passports, fancy to oust the government, but we are not scared of them,” said Zardari while addressing a mammoth gathering in connection with 43rd Foundation Day of the PPP via video conference from the Presidency.
He said that some ‘political actors’ having malicious intentions were busy hatching conspiracies against the government to destabilise the system. He asked such forces to wait till the government completes its term. “If they want to take part in the politics, they must wait till the next elections,” he remarked and added that if the elected government failed in reviving the 1973 Constitution, the people would decide about the PPP fate themselves in the next polls.
He urged the parties and persons, who boycotted the February 2008 elections, not to resort to undemocratic and immature tactics.
“The pranksters masquerading as politicians don’t know the fact that Sindh is today’s Pakistan. It had laid the foundation of Pakistan and saved it too, which is our political belief and we remain firm to our commitment,” President Zardari maintained.
In his charged speech, the President said the PPP’s existence was directly related to survival of Pakistan and they were nothing without Pakistan. “We are striving to secure and stabilize Pakistan for the coming generations. Therefore, we have no fear of any conspiracy and plot,” he asserted, adding, “Even after the martyrdom of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, I still assert Pakistan Khapay (We need Pakistan).”
Zardari said they were not afraid of any date and deadlines because the Parliament and Opposition were mature and playing a constructive role.
He termed the PPP Foundation Day as the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Day, who founded the party of the oppressed people 42 years ago.
Pointing to the PPP’s historical triumph in Gilgit-Baltistan elections, he said it was the eye-opener to those who claimed that PPP had lost its popularity.”
The President said, “We believe in Pakistan’s stability and it is our faith and belief to play a crucial role in order to make the country prosper.”
Vowing to sacrifice his life for Pakistan, Zardari said he had not left the country despite facing threats and detention. “Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto returned to her homeland for the sake of country despite knowing the fact that they would kill her,” he said, adding that he was in Pakistan to continue that mission. “We believe in the power of the oppressed masses and we formed the government through their votes. We have not come to power through backdoor channels,” he asserted.
Criticising a private news channel for anti-democracy propaganda, and demonising the government and the Presidency, Zardari said PPP shook the monopoly of the elements oppressing the people. He said the channel aimed at raising its worth and to have a monopoly in the country like the imperialist powers.
He pointed out the fact that the PPP government had tendered apology to the Baloch masses and gave rights to the people of Balochistan and Fata, saying there was not a single example in the world in which 2.5 million people had migrated from their homes but returned safely within a few months.
He also talked about the millions of Afghans who have been living in Pakistan for the last three decades and had not returned to their country.
Commenting over the war against terror, Zardari said when the PPP had formed the government, Pakistan was suffering from the cancer of terrorism.
“This deadly cancer of terrorism has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people including Shaheed Benazir Bhutto,” he said.
He said that it was the dialogue process initiated by Benazir Bhutto, which had given the chance to all political personalities to land back in their homeland, adding that the present success of the PPP government was a result of her sacrifices.
Zardari reminded the gathering that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had empowered the masses and as a result of his ideology the feudal and landlords were forced to go to the masses for getting their support.
He said the PPP was striving hard to take all political forces on board and to see that the PML-N and other parties became stronger for a stabilized political scenario.
He recalled that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had earlier described democracy as the best revenge and asked all the critics and opponents to beware of the consequences of their machinations because Allah Almighty had rewarded Bhutto and his family because of their sincerity to the oppressed masses.
Thousands of PPP activists waving party flags and banners inscribed with pro-PPP and President Asif Ali Zardari attended the rally. They chanted slogans including “Jeaye Bhutto” and “Aik Zardari Sub Pey Bahri” as the president addressed the meeting.