‘Nawaz cheated, so must endure’

LAHORE: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari has said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif deceived him and now he had to pay for it.

Zardari revealed the details of his tense relationship with Nawaz in a meeting with party leaders, sources informed the Geo News on Monday. “We used to think that Nawaz was very innocent, but he is far more cunning and opportunistic than we thought,” Zardari said, as per sources. They added that Zardari said Nawaz looked like innocent but he was very cunning at the core.

"We kept on agreeing on democracy, Constitution and civilian supremacy. While we were engaged in politics, Nawaz was busy in trading," he said. “Nawaz has sold us out on every occasion and we were duped by him at all times. I wanted to maintain social relations with Nawaz but he took advantage of my goodwill,” said Zardari.

He added, “Nawaz will suffer now. I will not join hands with him anymore.” The former president further said that Nawaz had encouraged him to fight the establishment but then he shook hands with them.

“When I announced to hold former president Pervez Musharraf accountable, Nawaz didn't support me. We had supported Nawaz when he filed a treason case against Musharraf. Nawaz had assured us that we will not let Musharraf go. When I made the statement that Musharraf won't be allowed to travel abroad, Nawaz sent him out of the country. It turned out that Nawaz had made a deal with Musharraf prior to taking me into confidence,” he reportedly said.

Commenting upon his ‘responding a brick with a brick’ speech, Zardari said he made the statement after being insisted by Nawaz. In a heated speech on June 16, 2015, Zardari had warned the establishment not to overstep its mandate. “Don’t disturb us or we will also respond to a brick with a brick,” he had said, adding “there is a limit to everything. Do not interfere in matters where you have no authority.”

Zardari explained that Nawaz took advantage of the statement and tried to set the record straight with former army chief General Raheel Sharif. Nawaz also ordered organisations such as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) among others to take action in Sindh, Zardari claimed.

Discrediting the development, Amir Fida Paracha, the Spokesman for Zardari, said the Bilawal House, Lahore, has not issued any statement and no media delegation held a meeting with Zardari.