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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said he will not see another presidential term after his present five-year term expires in September, DawnNews reported.
Speaking to media personnel on Saturday night in Islamabad, Zardari said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would play a positive role in the incoming Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.
The president said his party would unanimously support PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to be elected as prime minister as was done in the case of former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani..
Moreover, Zardari said Nawaz Sharif would have to decide how to handle the cases of former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.
He expressed happiness on the first successful transition of power between democratically elected governments in the 66-year history of Pakistan, a milestone in a country with a history of military coups, adding that not only Nawaz, but each party had played an equal role for the sake of democracy.
Responding to the Swiss cases, President Zardari said he had already spent eight years in jail and yet no charges had been proven against him. The president said it was a controversial matter which did not hold any importance in his eyes.
On US drone strikes, Zardari said that he was not aware of any agreement between the government of Pakistan and the US administration. “May be General Musharraf had made some sort of agreement with the US, but I am not aware of any such agreement nor I have seen it during my five-year tenure,” he told journalists.
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Comments (42) Closed
Jun 02, 2013 11:08am
Thats coz he has amassed enough and now wants to enjoy rest of his life abroad while the Pakistanis slug it out in the jungle....
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Jun 02, 2013 11:44am
True to himself, Presiden Zardari is evasive on all issues. Unexpectedly, he made a wise choice not to seek another term as that would have created quite an embarrassment for the House and his own party. History will remember him as an accidental president and an 'also ran' kind of head of state with no political vision and sens of direction. For him achievement of power was an end in itself. Usually party heads resign if the party gets beaten-even JI head resigned after poor showing in the polls. But here as in others, the party is the family heirloom. Worst, no one else in the cadre seem capable to revive the party. In Sindh with the same faces that made a mess of Karachi are given the reins yet again. Soon in Sindh too they will be overtaken by other political forces. But as they say President Zardari achieved what he wanted!
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Jun 02, 2013 11:45am
Enough is Enough; he should read the writing on the wall and resign. His looted wealth is waiting for him in Dubai!
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Jun 02, 2013 11:48am
This news report needs a lot of editing work.
>Speaking to media personnel on Saturday night in Islamabad, Zardari said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would play
Speaking to the media on Saturday night in Islamabad, Zardari said PPP will play
>The president said his party would unanimously support
The President said his party members will unanimously support
>He expressed happiness
He was pleased to see the transition....
>Responding to the Swiss cases
Responding to a question about the Swiss cases
>On US drone strikes
On the issue of the US drone strikes
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Jun 02, 2013 11:55am
Good riddance .. I hope.
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Jun 02, 2013 11:57am
A true believer in democracy. Apart from his controversial stance over corruption he will be named in Pakistan history as mentor of civil rule in Pakistan.
I would suggest him for the next presidential term as he is witty and clever and can assist Nawaz Sharif from the hawks of military adventurists.
Zardari Khappay. Pakistan khappay.
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Jun 02, 2013 12:20pm
Finally the president was able to read the writing on the wall.
He was convicted not in Pakistan, but in Switzerland.
The money, I believe, has been moved from there to some other location. The money laundering trail would start fresh.
Just wait and see.
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Jun 02, 2013 12:25pm
Parole of a saint.
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Jun 02, 2013 12:33pm
No matter what we say or hear today, this man will go in the History of Pakistan as someone who masterminded the union for democracy. He has spent 5 difficult years with absolute command. If only he had taken care of the people of Pakistan, Pakistanis wouldn't have ever voted for anyone else. He is a wise man, I would have called him wisest if had seen what Pakistanis wanted from him. dropping the monkeys he had around him would have helped him in rising up as a beloved leader. Kaira and the gang who spent hours on TV did nothing but damage the party. Everyone made money and frustration heightened as people saw these opportunists becoming wealthier by the hour. Responsibility lies with the leader.
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Jun 02, 2013 12:51pm
its all ok. but swiss cases should be investigate on preority bases and no one should escape
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Jun 02, 2013 01:03pm
If he was not aware of any contract as far as Drones are concerned then why didn't he uttered a single word against this in his five years of presidency? It simple meant that he didn't cared what was happening to his country people, am I right?
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Jun 02, 2013 01:15pm
I hope the incoming Pakistani govt will make sure that Mr Zardari doesn't abscond to another middle east country as a self exile before his term expires. It's becoming a norm that politicians manage to self exile to the West or ME so easily compared to ordinary pakistani citizens who can't even get visa for holiday visits. Where is disgraced ex-Pakistani Ambassador to the US? Still hiding in US but why?
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Jun 02, 2013 02:19pm
How can you believe it when our current president says he has no idea what agreement his predecessor had with US govt. then why the hell he did'nt stop the drone attacks if he does not agree ?
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Jun 02, 2013 02:52pm
@Akram Malik: NS and Malik Qayyom started, you ppl are still beating the bushes...
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Jun 02, 2013 02:57pm
@True Indian:
Dont be nosy @ true Indian... mind your own business
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Jun 02, 2013 03:05pm
He is talking like a true President........good change, his words are like a person whose mission has been accomplished!
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Jun 02, 2013 04:11pm
Zardari did not elaborate much on that. He must say that I will fully support PMLN as they supported in my term as friendly opposition. After all, we have to take turns. I will desperately wait for my turn.
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Jun 02, 2013 04:15pm
Good move.I guess he is satisfied with the damage he and his cronies have done to Pakistan.
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Jun 02, 2013 04:20pm
A president saying that he is not aware of the agreements made by previous government and Mr. Sharf will not be aware of the agreements made by Zardari's.....and the story goes on...
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Jun 02, 2013 05:04pm
He fought a great fight for democracy especially in the country where mostly degree holder hate democracy . Media controlled by JI ideology . People love to hate any successful people instead following there footstep. Great job Mr Zardari.
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Jun 02, 2013 05:14pm
@Reader: Why? Because he holds and american passport in addition to a Pakistani one.
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Jun 02, 2013 05:32pm
Grapes are sour. Since he can foresee never ever returning to where he is right now he is speaking of supporting sharif and democracy and all that crap. If he gets a slightest chance to change the situation in his favour he would do it without thinking twice. then there will countless valid reasons and logics to do away with the shairfs.
But seriously he should be taken to task for all his mismanagement and corruption.
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Jun 02, 2013 05:38pm
To all those who are saying he has ammassed enough... let me tell you that Zardari's greed knows no bounds.
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Jun 02, 2013 06:05pm
@capt. Salman:
Very kind of you to at least recognize his numerous sacrifices for the rule of democracy in Pakistan. Why don't we grateful Pakistanis give him another term of five years, but this time in Adiala jail for his gift rampant corruption and zero governance?
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Jun 02, 2013 06:21pm
This decision by Asif Zardari to not seek a re-election is unprecedented in Pakistan's parliamentary history and should be highly commended. I would rank it as the first good decision Mr. Zardari has made in his 5-year term as President. Very thoughtful of you Sir, and we thank you for this noble act of kindness. RIP in your Dubai Palace.
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Jun 02, 2013 06:34pm
If NS is a lovely son of Sharif, he should take immediate step for these
1. Zardari to face Swiss case
2. Asghar Khan case and money taken by Sharif brothers.
3. Ex gen Musharrif and NS on Kargil case.
4. Ex general Musharrif and Artical 6 implimentation.
5. NS should drop and stop DRONES attack.
6. NS should bring his half money from foreign and ask others to bring half back.
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Jun 02, 2013 06:48pm
It is time he takes a Sabbatical, retire to his palatial house in Dubai or to his other sprawling residence in Lahore, gifted to him by his friend Riaz Malick, then see his life from different perspective such as what he did to his country for 5 years and what he should have done.
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Jun 02, 2013 06:53pm
He is not to be trusted, what he says is far from what is intentions are.
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Jun 02, 2013 07:00pm
Although it was written on the wall however we are grateful Mr. Zardari for this kind act, Pakistan will not forget your "Qurbani" even if it forgets you.
Mazhar
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Jun 02, 2013 07:38pm
Must be a very difficult decision.
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Jun 02, 2013 07:39pm
He will get an A for completing his term without being convicted or sentenced. For everything else he will get and F. Very uninspiring leader for the nation, who occupied the position without leading the country into anything better than when he started.
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Jun 02, 2013 07:39pm
Can Pakistan afford Mr. Z as President for another term??????
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Jun 02, 2013 09:25pm
lol
as if he had a choice
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Jun 02, 2013 09:56pm
Now that he has taken care of many future generations of his, at least financially, he can now allow the ordinary Pakistanis to enjoy their hard earned money. I hope this is the last we get to see Bhutto/Zardari clan. The only time i want to hear about them would be when they are held accountable for how they have harmed our country. I can see the change coming - slowly but surely. God bless Pakistan!
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Jun 02, 2013 10:08pm
It's their God given right to stay in Pakistan as long as they rule after that move to another country. This is what you will see the Bhutto/Zardari family doing after they leave the presidency. They are least interested in the betterment of general public. I wish the general public realise what these rulers are, thieves, liars, corrupt, no common sense.
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Jun 02, 2013 11:20pm
@NASAH (USA):
Because he has been working so hard for the last 5 yrs.And everybody wants him to continue as President.People will miss him.
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Jun 02, 2013 11:21pm
My bet is, his last day as President will not be in Pakistan.............he will most likely be in Dubai.
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Jun 03, 2013 12:22am
Now the nation wants him to face the criminals cases registered against him. Already served 8 years in jail cannot be the basis for closing those cases. The logical way is to prove his innocence in courts of law and not by making silly claims on media. Making your cases prolonged by all sorts of excuses and exploits (submitting fake medical certificates, etc.) and then start claiming that the cases are false (because nothing came out of them for so many years) is what all criminals try to do in Pakistan. Some succeed (like Zardari) and some fail. Until a court of all declares an accused is innocent, he is not. Same applies to Zardari.
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Jun 03, 2013 12:53am
A changed man?? Probably not. The most hated man in the country but ruled the country for five years. He has to be clever. This departure must have a hidden side to it. Perhaps he needs to spend all the wealth he collected over the past five years and prepare his son to take his place next time...
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Jun 03, 2013 01:35am
President Zardari was declared insane in a Court of Law on the basis of a defense plea from his own attorney. Pakistanis, very smart people, took him out of jail considered him head of state material, installed him as head of state and let him rule over them for five long 'adventurous' years.
And he obliged them, making himself one of the wealthiest person in the World...from one of the poorest beggar countries of the world. And he made Pakistan and Pakistanis even poorer, in every possible way imaginable.
Pakistanis have now voted to install another similar embezzler as their head of state, Pakistanis are too smart to learn from experience...
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Jun 03, 2013 04:40am
@mazhar memon: O! He will remember it several billion times.
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Jun 03, 2013 05:27pm
with the historical transition democracy has won,but with that corruption is rampant & on its peak,& failure of all our public instititution r b/c of this corrupt mafia,above all WAPDA (power crisis) is at the helm of all,which has paralised our whole nation.As the transition of govt:is going on, different remedies r being suggested for energy crisis ,but no one is talking of corruption,that shows the involvement of our bigs,one has suggested for prepay meters ,i must say here ,people who have meters r already paying,issue is of the who r using electricity without meters,who r being energized by corrupt mafia who earns millions through monthlies & annual bhatas.
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