Daily Times

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has termed the arrest of Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani an unacceptable and undemocratic attempt to dislodge the provincial government.

“Hum Baynami wazeer-e-azam ko baywardi Aamriat Qaaim nahi karnay dainga [We will not let a fake prime minister be a dictator without a uniform],” he posted on his Twitter handle. “Attack on speaker of federating unit is an unacceptable, undemocratic attempt to dislodge Sindh govt. Failed before will fail again. Independent institutions shouldn’t unwittingly be part of political engineering,” he added.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the arrest and called for amendment to the NAB laws. “This is nothing new,” he told reporters, adding that there should be amendments in NAB’s laws and that his party is ready to face down the accountability bureau.

On a recent Supreme Court decision dismissing review petitions in the fake accounts case, Zardari said, “PPP has always accepted them [court decisions] and wants to strengthen institutions.

Zardari calls for amendment to NAB laws

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.