ISLAMABAD - PPP Co-Chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday made a fiery speech against his political rivals and the military leadership, warning them to stop character-assassination of PPP otherwise he would expose everyone, including army generals.
“Stop victimising us. We have expressed much restraint. Be careful now otherwise we will expose all,” said Asif Zardari, while addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the party officebearers belonging to KP and Fata. The function was attended by PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Sherry Rehman and others.
Zardari, giving a warning of dire consequences in an emotional way, threatened to expose even all former generals. “We know how to wage a war and are not afraid of it,” said Zardari, while keeping a smile on his face, amid slogans raised by PPP workers in favour of the party and the leaders.
Without naming anyone, he said the tenure of a general is no longer than some years, but the political parties last forever. “You stay for three years and we are here to stay and never retire,” he said. “Musharraf does not know how many threats Pakistan is facing, currently, but I do,” he added.
The PPP co-chairman also blew hot and cold over Musharraf and said, “I have spent five years of my life in prison and Musharraf has not faced jail for even three months.”
“We are watching the political game and waiting for the right time. Let those to whom we provided a bat and ball play,” said the former president. “Let them put the economy back on track. It will be good if they succeed, but if they fail, then those provoking us must understand that if I stand up, not only Sindh but also the entire Pakistan from Khyber to Karachi would be shut and come to a standstill,” he threatened.
“I had said at the time of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s martyrdom that “Pakistan Khapay” (We need Pakistan), but, there’s a limit to everything,” he remarked.
“I am not interested in coming into power, but serving the masses is my foremost priority,” he said, asserting when PPP moves, it jolts all others. “We want to see continuity of democratic setup. I can wait,” he remarked.
Earlier, the party workers from KP and Fata presented a traditional turban to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The party workers kept shouting slogans during the speech of Asif Ali Zardari.
He said PPP was a staunch supporter of democracy that was why the party backed the PML-N government to complete its tenure. “Had we joined Captain (Imran Khan) during his street protest and resigned from the Parliament, fresh elections would have been inevitable.” Zardari said he had supported the government because he did not want them to complain that they were not allowed to complete their tenure. Others might be in a hurry, I am not. I can wait for the sake of democracy,” said Zardari.
He said he did not want to weaken the country’s institutions, but they should also not try to create hurdles for politicians. He advised the establishment to remain away from politics and avoid interfering in the things that don’t fall in its domain.
Talking about his political achievements, Zardari said he had given 18th Amendment to the nation, which is a milestone in the country’s democratic progress.
Addressing the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Zardari said, “You are in power for three years and then you’ll have to leave. I don’t want to weaken the national institutions. If attempts are made to provoke us, we’ll have to respond accordingly,” he said.
Addressing the party workers, Asif Ali Zardari said they would have to learn a lot and he would teach them.