Zardari is pickpocket, he and Imran behind poor governance: PML-N

Marriyum says opposition scared of Maryam Nawaz; Saad says
PPP leader didn’t get any response despite repeated visits to China due to his nature; Ahsan Iqbal says Leaks, Panama Papers issues raised by those who want political instability

ISLAMABAD: The PML-N leaders on Tuesday said Asif Ali Zardari was a pickpocket, who along with Imran Khan was responsible for poor governance in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb told reporters at the PNCA in Islamabad that the opposition was scared of PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz and, therefore, had been trying to link her name with the Dawn Leaks issue to realise their political motives.

She said during the sit-in and protests against alleged rigging, the PTI leadership targeted Maryam. The same ploy was used during the Panama Papers case and her media trial was held for one year and 17 days, but finally the truth prevailed and her name was cleared by the Supreme Court, she added.

She appealed to the media to show responsibility and refrain from creating hype regarding the opposition's baseless allegations against the PML-N leadership, resist the temptation of relying on rumours and wait till the announcement of the official report on Dawn Leaks.

To a question about Asif Zardari’s claim that CPEC was his project, she said during his regime, the people of Pakistan were worried about their assets and his claim about foreign investment in the country was absolutely absurd.

Similarly, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said Zardari was a pickpocket, adding that he and Imran were responsible for the poor governance.

Saad described Zardari as a cheater and said he during his tenure visited China six times but was not given a positive response due to his nature.

He added that the PPP was born from Ayub’s dictatorship and the PML-N would help the people of Sindh to get rid of it.

Separately, Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal told a private TV channel that the Dawn Leaks and Panama Papers issues were raised by elements who wanted to create political instability in the country. Civil and military leadership were on the same page regarding national issues, he added.

Addressing a press conference, Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Tuesday said Imran would stop talking about morality if he told the people that what was stated in a court of California in a paternity case.

Daniyal Aziz said the Supreme Court should take up the petitions of Hanif Abbasi and others against Imran and Jehangir Tareen in the Panama Papers case and ownership of offshore companies.

Musadik Malik, special assistant to the prime minister, said Imran was habitual of levelling baseless allegations against others and maligning national institutions and his political rivals.  Talking to private TV channel, he said Imran should tell the nation about his resources, use of helicopters and lavish living.