Daily Times

In our tenure, we raised salaries of judges to attract the best people. There are several good judges. We will face the NAB inquiry and if we have to go to jail, you know that has always been my second home.”

Zardari also spoke on the ongoing tension with India in the aftermath of the attack in Pulwama, recalling that when he was president, a similar situation had arisen. The former president was referring to attack on the Taj Hotel in Mumbai. “We forced India to back down and handled it through diplomatic channels,” he said, and warned India against any misadventure saying, “I want to assure you that if India does any misadventure, the entire nation is united. PPP will stand with the armed forces.” Zardari was critical of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government’s handling of the situation with India. “Our government does not understand. Back street drivers do not understand politics … that is why this issue keeps on escalating.” Commenting further on the PTI government, Zardari said the recent trip of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman was mishandled. “They did not invite us, Nawaz Sharif or Shehbaz Sharif.” “We are trying to give them time to solve people’s problems, but the prices of electricity and gas are rising. In the summer you will need to sell your car to pay the electricity bill,” he said.

Published in Daily Times, February 21^st 2019.