Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government granted ‘NRO’ to the clerics who used derogatory language against key national institutions. “They gave an NRO just days back. The clerics who used derogatory language were given an NRO,” the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) supremo told reporters in Khairpur while responding to a question regarding government’s earlier statements on the issue of NRO. “Those 1,200 poor people who were captured on TV will be arrested but an NRO was given to those who insulted the institutions,” he said, while referring to an agreement between the government and the protesters who staged sit-ins across the country following a Supreme Court verdict acquitting Asia Bibi in a blasphemy case. Commenting on the government approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout, Zardari said, “I don’t think we should go to the IMF … we should instead strengthen our markets.” “When we were in the government, we worked hard. We paid people for their land and prepared a feasibility draft for Bhasha Dam,” he said, in response to a question about looming water crisis in the country. Stating that the people are worried as prices of all the commodities have increased, Zardari said, “When petrol and gas prices are increased, then prices of all goods rise.” Pointing to PPP leader Manzoor Wassan, who was accompanying him, Zardari said, “Wassan has dreamt that the incumbent PTI government will not complete its term.” Regarding the ongoing inquiries by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Zardari said, “No bureaucrat is ready to work in such circumstances.” Responding to a question about former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Zardari said, “May be Nawaz and Maryam are waiting for the situation to cool down.” Published in Daily Times, November 9th 2018.