HUB: Former President and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari reiterated on Sunday that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would give the people of Balochistan their due share and dignity, emphasizing that only “genuine political parties” could solve the problems faced by the country.
Addressing an election rally in Hub district of Balochistan, Zardari said that PPP is a federal party, which deemed serving the people as worship, according to a statement issued by Media Cell Bilawal House.
He said that all the problems faced by the country could be solved through democracy, adding that “What can be done with democracy, cannot be done in the war.” He said that despite being a victim of grave injustices, the PPP never spoke of taking up arms.
“Yes, [we] talked about fighting on the streets, holding rallies, (and) fighting for democracy around the world, including Pakistan,” he added. He said Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto raised the flag of democracy and was elected prime minister twice. “I also followed in her (Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s) footsteps and elected my prime minister and became president myself,” he added.
Zardari said that although there is no perfect democracy in the country even now, but it gradually strengthens. Describing Balochistan’s progress in democracy, he said that those who take up arms need to be explained. He pointed out that during his tenure, the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Program was introduced.
“I gave Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan, apologised to Balochistan, took as many steps as I could. I got people released from jails, and tried to be our friends and come back considering Pakistan as their country,” he added.
Talking about the unanimous NFC Award introduced during his tenure, the former President said that due to that initiative, the budget of Balochistan increased, and continued: “It has been 15 years since I gave the 18th Amendment. Your budget has been increased four times, but that budget (growth as a result of that budget) is not visible here.”
He reiterated that he would solve the problems of entire Balochistan including Hub, saying: “We promise that we will take you forward, and take care of you. The Hub should also be like Karachi, Hub should also have hospitals, water facilities and universities.”
He said that if the law and order improved, the investors of Karachi would invest in Hub too. He said that he always called Balochistan the heart of the country, so the Hub could also play the role of “mind”.
Zardari said that only political forces could solve the problems of Pakistan. He appealed to the people of Balochistan, including Hub, to make the PPP victorious in the general elections to be held on February 8. Meanwhile, former President Asif Ali Zardari was given a warm welcome by the people on his arrival at the venue.
Slogans of “Jeay Bhutto”, “Zinda Hai, Bibi Zinda Hai”, “Ek Zardari Sab Pe Bhari” and “Prime Minister Bilawal” echoed in the rally. PPP leader and former Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, Ali Hassan Zehri, Sabir Baloch, Iqbal Shah, Wadera Hassan Jamot, Abdul Wahab Bizenjo, Abdul Karim Marri, Sharif Palari and other leaders were also present.
