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Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday said he stood for good relations with Pakistan's neighbouring countries and criticised the PML-N government for creating discord along the lines of what he perceives to be 'American foreign policy'.
Addressing a rally in Peshawar, the former president said that while he was in power, Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan and India were good and there was peace.
"We should be friends with our neighbouring countries... [Prime Minister] Nawaz has the same thought process as the Americans when it comes to waging wars."
"We will not let this war happen," Zardari said.
Zardari said a fire is raging in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and those governing the province are not aware of it.
"They do not know how many brothers, sisters and children are homeless in KPK," he said. "And now the limit has been reached, their [national identity] cards are being stopped, they are being imprisoned."
"They [Pakhtun's] are being asked why are you here in Punjab, in Balochistan, in Islamabad."
"I am proud that Karachi is the biggest city of Pakhtuns," Zardari said.
He added that the PPP has decided that FATA will be merged with KP, and rights will be given to FATA's youth and women ─ "the same rights that are given to women in other provinces".
"If we are given the opportunity we will give them their rights," he added.
In a reference to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the ruling PML-N, Zardari said "those who said if electricity is not brought to the country in three months, four months we will change our name ... today, i ask the world, what should we name them?"
Zardari also said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was his dream for the people of KP, adding, "we will fulfill this dream."
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Comments (27) Closed
May 14, 2017 05:00pm
Why didn't he do what he is saying now, when he and his party was in power for five consecutive years in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan?
Unfortunately, this is a very common problem with the politicians in the "land of the pure" that they suddenly wake up and start making tall promises when not in power.
At the same time, they furiously criticize the government in power only when they themselves are not in power. They do it just to mislead the people in order to deflect and divert their attention from their own wrong doings, swindling and stealing of state funds and resources for their own benefits.
Nevertheless, when these politicians do come to power, they do nothing tangible except to increase their own bank balances or that of their family members, cronies, peers, pals, associates and friends.
On the other hand, the whole country as well as its ordinary hapless and helpless people become poorer and poorer.
What a great tragedy?
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May 14, 2017 05:54pm
You don't say please about the situation of Khyber Pakhtunwa. You were in the government from 2008-13, why don't you tell us what you did to improve the situation. But I grew with you that the relation was good with neighbouring countries. But tell me about the economic situation, health, education. Everything was in despair. The corruption was rampaging. I don't say we have become developed in PMLN but they are a lot better then PPP. Good bye PPP. You can only win in Sindh.
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May 14, 2017 05:54pm
As if we don't know what you are going to do once you are in power. Zardari's time is over and if he really wants PPP to survive then he will have to part his ways from this party and leave the party for others.
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May 14, 2017 06:53pm
So says the Oracle of Sindh, whose party cannot even manage a city like Karachi.
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May 14, 2017 06:58pm
"They do not know how many brothers, sisters and children are homeless in KPK," he said"
Have you been anywhere around Karachi? Or interior Sindh? You will find many children sifting through piles of garbage, homeless, begging for drinking water and dying of thirst and dehydration. Charity begins at home. You are too far away from home in KPK to give this kind of lecture. Instead do something for Sinidhi people first.
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May 14, 2017 07:00pm
I appreciate your words, Mr.Asif Ali Zardari ; If your words are sincerely coming from your heart, Then you should be given one more chance to rule the country purely for the sake of regional peace. At present, there is no peace at all.
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May 14, 2017 07:12pm
I welcome Mr. Asif Ali Zardari statement.
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May 14, 2017 07:31pm
This guy lost the election even before the election started.
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May 14, 2017 08:06pm
A very smart debater, but having very bad performance record.His own province is not well these days.He must first put his own house in order.
As regards relations with neighbors it take two hands to clap. We must make our armed forces more strong.If your nation is strong,all neighbors will be friendly,so make nation strong,by avoiding corruption,things will be all set,once you cleanse corruption from society.
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May 14, 2017 08:13pm
Mr.Asif Ali Zardari is right when he says that Karachi is the biggest city of the Pakhtuns. It can
also be called the New Peshawar because of the huge Pakhtun Population.
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May 14, 2017 09:24pm
We wish him two more terms to lead the country
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May 14, 2017 09:42pm
Mr. Zardari: Make campaign promises that can provide hope and prosperity to the masses and then deliver on these promises. The people will then naturally mobilize to vote for you. For example, offer free primary education and government subsidized health to households with low incomes. This is the type of hope that will motivate people to vote and share in the struggle for equality and economic progress.
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May 14, 2017 11:04pm
Mr Zardari, first spend more time in Pakistan than Dubai before making such statements. You are seasonal politicians which means that you are only seen and heard around election season!!
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May 15, 2017 01:21am
too late isn't it??
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May 15, 2017 01:24am
That's rich coming from someone who's only intrest in Pakistan is to loot it.
Have you forgotten the the situation in sindh where hundreds of children are dying of malnutrition and dehydration?
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May 15, 2017 01:51am
Zardari also said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was his dream for the people of KP...
CPEC is just one branch of OBOR Chinese mega project, conceived, designed, planned, costed, risk assessed, drafted and financed by China and China alone, successive Pakistan governments from Musharf to Zirdari and then Nawaz Sharif just took out their pens and signed on the dotted line, that is the reality of their input and their contribution. They did not have much interest in its details, as far as they were concerned, what ever the details and the layouts they will get their kick backs in any event. If the project fails to deliver and Pakistan finds itself in a position of debt default, Nawaz and Zirdari are least bothered.
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May 15, 2017 01:55am
@Jamil Soomro, NEW YORK CITY Yes New Peshawar, New Larkana or New Rawalpindi or New Lahore.!
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May 15, 2017 01:57am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
The real tragedy no one talks about, it is the sheeple of Pakistan who perpetuate the tragedy every five years by voting for the very same crooks, thieves and liars election after election.
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May 15, 2017 02:41am
This is all empty talk. What did PPP do when they were in power 2008-2013? Their last government was clueless and corrupt, arguably the worst governance in our country's history
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May 15, 2017 04:51am
This is exactly similar to what Congress(I) is doing in India. Criticise the government currently ruling and invoke the argument of peace and blame the current government for waging war like situation. But when Congress (I) was in power for 10 years; they were saddled with corruption and scandal after scandals . The people are tired and sick of these type of claims and it appears or at least looks like the same story of false claims is being repeated by Zardari. I would rather depend on the sports ; artists and local population on both sides of the border who genuinely desire peace but should not fall for these type of empty and false claims or promises.
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May 15, 2017 05:01am
How will he do that?
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May 15, 2017 05:22am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad - So well said and its is music to our ears because this is exactly what Cong (I) did in India.Except initially Nehru & then during Indira Gandhi times; the Congress rule in India was riddled with corruption and scandals where politicians filled only their coffers and did nothing when they were in power but were ready to criticise opposition at every opportunity and the class of politicians is exactly the same on both sides of the border. The only exception is Modi after Nehru; Indira Gandhi and Atal behari Vajpayee; while the rest were all corrupt and inefficient to rule their country
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May 15, 2017 05:58am
I think Zardari can make a better PM than Imran Khan.
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May 15, 2017 08:41am
I just wana say to Mr Zardari that plzzzz for the sake of election compaign dont spread disparity among the people of pakistan . I know u peopl r gona play devide and rule game but mr ignorant keep it in mind that this is pakistan not subcontinent , now the situation is different so please use some other tactics to fool the people not this racial and regional discrimination .
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May 15, 2017 08:47am
Zardari is bluffing again to gain some votes.
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May 15, 2017 03:18pm
@Khan USA I am talking about the present day reality of Pakhtuns in Karachi.Do you own Karachi? You don't look very happy to me. Pakhtuns are Pakistanis just as anyone else. Your sarcasm is baseless?
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May 15, 2017 05:01pm
PPP will be judged for their performance in Sindh which is dismal ........ So Zardari's words bear no weight unless the KPK folks have lost their memories. PTI will be judged for their performance in KPK ..... Which sounds to be better than any previous governments ...... PMLN will be judged for their Punjab governance .....which lacks the adequate supply of electricity and lack of adequate employment !!! But then the game will have electables changing sides and parties making seat adjustments and small parties vying for coalitions with perks of ministries in return which will make a mockery of the democratic system by one and by all ...... Th small parties and the independent individuals who win in the elections will end up to be the strongest of all ..... PTI and PPP will cry foul in any case !!!! win or loss !!!
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