Bhutto sacrificed his life but did not leave country: Zardari

DADU: Former president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has said that those fearing the Panamagate and jails do not want to remain alive in history, adding that the PPP will not stop fighting for democracy. 

Asif Ali Zardari said this while addressing the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers here on Wednesday. He said that the PPP will continue to fight for democracy. “You are all sons of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. We are raising the flag of democracy. We promise that we will continue to fight for democracy,” he said.

Referring to the 40th anniversary of General Ziaul Haq’s martial law, Asif Zardari said that Zia’s dictatorship had a brutal effect on Pakistan and the country needs to get out of this mindset and embrace a more democratic tone. Zardari also claimed credit for strengthening parliament, adding that had he not done so, Nawaz Sharif would have been the president today.

He spoke in favour of Bhutto and highlighted the achievements of the PPP founder. Zardari spoke about how Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had fought against the dictatorial forces when his government was finally toppled on July 5, 1977. “Zulfikar Ali Bhutto called out the sole superpower in the world from Rawalpindi,” he said.

Zardari paid tribute to Bhutto and said that the former PM had been given the offer to leave Pakistan rather than be hanged for a crime he did not commit. “Bhutto responded to them that he would rather remain alive in history than leave the country,” said Zardari.

Zardari told workers of the party gathered there that they were the sons of Bhutto and no one else. He said that party workers had the slogan of ‘Jiye Bhutto’ with them and they held the flag of democracy in their hands.

“God forbid, even if I decided to stand against Pakistan People’s Party in an election, I would not even secure one vote from these people,” he said to loud cheers and applause. “These people are the die-hard loyalists of PPP.”

Asif Zardari during his speech also took shots at General Pervez Musharraf as well referring to the former army chief as a ‘billa’. “The ‘billa’ will also not get any benefit in the upcoming elections,” Zardari said. “People often look at the progress China has made but they forget that Pakistan is still struggling with a martial law mindset which does not ensure continuity of governments.”  He ensured workers that the PPP would develop Sindh and work towards making Pakistan a regional power.