ISLAMABAD - Reacting to party Co-Chairman’s acquittal in Societe Generale Surveillance (SGS) and Cotecna corruption cases, PPP leaders state they feared Asif Zardari’s arrest on return from abroad to ‘victimise’ him. They refer to the detention of his close aide Dr Asim Hussain.
PPP spokesman Senator Farhatullah Babar argued Zardari was not abroad to avoid arrest as he was used to discriminatory treatment.
“He can come anytime. His travel plans have not yet been finalised but this does not mean he won’t return. His acquittal has vindicated our stance,” he remarked.
Another PPP leader Nargis Faiz Malik said that the court verdict proved all the cases against Zadari were fabricated.
The PPP leader said that Benazir Bhutto was subjected to character assassination and forced to live in exile for the same ‘undone crimes.’
The PPP leader said those who had filed the politically motivated cases against Benazir Bhutto and Zardari were finding no place to hide.
“These people should be ashamed of themselves after the court order. The truth has prevailed. This victory will definitely reflect in the LG polls now,” she added.
Nargis Faiz Malik also celebrated the court decision with party colleagues at her residence and distributed sweets.
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Senator Iqbal Zafar Jhagra welcomed the court decision. “I don’t think anybody should challenge this decision. The court has gone through all the details and given a verdict. We accept it,” he remarked.
Jhagra said the court order will definitely help Zardari and his party. “If their leader has been acquitted, the PPP men will definitely be flying high. This should help them in LG polls,” he maintained.
He said that PML-N does not believe in political victimisation and wants all the parties to participate in the democratic process. “We respect all parties mandate and we have high regards for courts. A person who has been acquitted by a court after due process is respectable for us,” he added.
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf was not so warm to the development. Senior party leader Arif Alvi regretted no influential person can be punished in Pakistan.
“This is the system that we want to change. Under this system no rich can be punished. Look at Zardari, he lived like a prince in jail and has destroyed all the evidences against him,” he commented.
Alvi claimed everybody knew Zardari was involved in corruption but a court can only sentence someone if there was enough evidence.
“The rich people influence the governments and they (the authorities) do not push for their conviction. Only poor can be held accountable under these circumstances. I must say I am disappointed,” the lawmaker said.