Political parties condemn Zardari’s ‘anti-army’ remarks

Karachi
Several major and minor political parties condemned on Wednesday Asif Ali Zardari’s ‘anti-military’ remarks, describing them as an outpour of sheer frustration.
A day earlier, the former president and the Pakistan People’s Party co-chairperson had delivered a hard-hitting speech, wherein he had lashed out at the military establishment for overstepping its domain.
Sindh United Party president Jalal Mehmood Shah said Zardari was likening the ongoing accountability process against corruption to “character assassination” using the Sindh card as a cover-up and reminding the establishment of his loyalties
“It’s nothing but an attempt to save the wealth amassed through the corruption,” he said in a statement issued by his party’s headquarters, Haider Manzil.
“The people of Sindh will never take to the streets to help safeguard illegally accumulated wealth worth billions,” he added.
Shah said rampant corruption, incompetence, nepotism and bad governance had destroyed merit culture in Sindh.
“This is why Sindh has become instable in terms of politics, economy and administration. The administrative structure of Sindh has collapsed and its bureaucracy is acting as per the wishes of the political leadership instead of serving the masses, shattering the social fabric of province.”
The SUP president said Sindh needed peace, development and eradication of corruption for its progress and prosperity but the “Zardari group” had no such agenda.
He advised the federal government not to fall hostage in the name of political reconciliation and continue its accountability process without succumbing to any pressure.
Pakistan Muslim League Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh said maligning “sacred” security institutions for political mileage was unacceptable, and the head of a political party should not pass such irresponsible remarks.
Talking to the media at the Pakistan Muslim League Sindh secretariat, he said individuals and personalities changed with time but the institutions remained.
He said the Pakistan army was a sacred national institution and should not be criticised for the acts of those who were affiliated with it in the past.
“It should also be kept in mind that the sacred blood of martyrs runs in the veins of Gen Raheel Sharif. He is not someone who can be affected by political expediency.
The manner in which he is defeating terrorism through operation Zarb-e-Azb shows that he is a true and patriotic army commander who would never surrender to political expediencies.”
Sheikh said the harsh statement of the former president would negatively affect the country on an international level.
“Pakistan has been facing law and order problems because of the interference of Indian spy agencies. Many civilians and security personnel have died because of this and instead of paying them tribute, this tirade and blame game is really uncalled-for.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Nadir Akmal Leghari said such remarks against an institution was not the kind the politics that was required.
“Is this a country or a banana republic; we should come out of this,” he added.
He said corruption in the country, especially in Karachi, had reached an alarming level and if any institution was trying to clear up the mess, everyone should defend it, instead of criticising it.
Qaumi Awami Tehreek chief Ayaz Latif Palejo said for the last five our six years, corruption was at it highest, especially in the Sindh.
He welcomed the action taken by Rangers against Sindh Building Control Authority officials. He added that all officers involved in corruption should be arrested immediately.
He said when it came to corruption, Zardari stood at the top and NAB and the FIA had failed to take any action against such big fish.
“The government shouldn’t only take action against corrupt politicians, but also the bureaucrats who were involved in plundering country’s wealth,” he added.