Asif Ali Zardari, former Pakistan President and co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), in an interview with journalist Hamid Mir for Geo News, said on Thursday that his party was open to all options, including joining hands with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, according to reports.
Zardari’s interview comes as various political parties are preparing for the general elections that are slated to be held on February 8 next year.
He also said it was not important for “Nawaz Sharif to lead the alliance, as there are other individuals, including those in the PPP, who, too, can lead the alliance”. “We gave them a chance earlier, now it’s their turn to give us the chance to lead,” he told Geo News.
Commenting on his son and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the senior leader said that was “not fully trained” in politics and “needs time because he lacks experience”.
“Politics is my compulsion not a necessity” I disagreed with former President Asif Ali Zardari when he said that his son @BBhuttoZardari still need some more training. Zardari said yes Bilawal is more educated than me but experience is experience. pic.twitter.com/x1HKylAeIZ— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) November 24, 2023
He also added that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will not be banned, but will be part of this election, minus its chief Imran Khan.
According to top intelligence sources, the interview clearly shows Zardari’s ambitions. “In Pakistan, the decisions are taken by the army, not individual parties and candidates. Zardari wants a second term as the President and a reasonable share in the Cabinet.”
Sources said he was trying to negotiate hard with Sharif and PMLN on two grounds:
- The post of President for himself
- To restrict PML-N in Punjab and other areas and ensure they don’t come to Sindh
پیپلز پارٹی کی توقع ہے کہ الیکشن کمیشن صاف شفاف انتخابات کرانے کی آئینی زمہ داری پوری کرے گا، سید نیئر حسین بخاریمزید پڑھیں: https://t.co/UZCXUFbHUG pic.twitter.com/j4oaOqHdt4
— Pakistan Peoples Party – PPP (@PPP_Org) November 21, 2023
The PPP, shared his statement on X, in which he stated the country was heading towards transparent polls and his party was fully prepared for elections. “I have full confidence in the ECP that it will hold elections in a transparent manner. The PPP will would come on top.”
“The PPP is the only party which is capable of fighting elections in all kinds of environments,” Zardari stated.
His statement came a day after he held a meeting with UK High Commissioner Jane Marriott in Karachi, where they discussed a range of issues, according to a statement by his party.
With PTI Inputs
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