Daily Times

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said that he had saved the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government half way through its tenure, but Nawaz Sharif backstabbed.

“PML-N government was about to end in 1.5 years, but we saved it from a total collapse. Nawaz backstabbed us and we will level the score when the time is right. We will compete with him in the upcoming elections,” Zardari said while speaking at a ceremony in Nawabshah.

The former president added that the PPP has always prioritised public interest and has never worked for its own personal interests. He added that PPP is the only party that can lead Pakistan.

Continuing his jabs at the former prime minister, Zardari said that Nawaz has left Pakistan stranded in his 4-and-a-half year tenure. He added that the former PM did not appoint a foreign minister and when he did, he appointed someone who does not know the ‘abc’ of diplomacy.

“During our time, Pakistan had strong relations with neighbouring as well as countries from around the globe. It was due to our winning foreign policy that Afghanistan and Iran were standing alongside, while now they have joined hands with India,” Zardari said.

Moreover, Zardari said that Nawaz has always planned to weaken the country’s institutions while PPP has always striven for a strong institutional presence.

“Nawaz’s children are living abroad and soon enough, he will pack his bags and flee the country too. Where will we go? If we do not strengthen our institutions, we will turn into Afghanistan,” the former president warned.