PPP would have been stronger without Patriots: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Former Interior minister and Institute of Research and Reforms Chairman Senator Abdul Rehman Malik on Monday said if the Patriot group had not emerged in the party, the PPP would have been stronger today but some senior leaders betrayed the party at a difficult time.

“In the recent past, some politicians harmed the party for vested interests,” he said while talking to The News on the 68the birthday of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Felicitating PPP workers on Benazir’s birthday, Malik urged PPP workers to remain united under the leadership of Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to fulfil Benazir’s dream of a happy, peaceful, and prosperous Pakistan.

He said Benazir was a great teacher from whom he learned a lot. He said Benazir’s political insight, wisdom, and party administrative skills were unparalleled and she used to say sycophants are detrimental to the party. “Benazir kept many senior politicians away from the party for being double agents,” he said and added that Benazir is a role model and a symbol of strength for women around the world as by her charismatic personality, she proved the power of women.

Meanwhile, due to the death of former Senator Usman Khan Kakar, the annual cake-cutting ceremony on Benazir’s birthday was postponed, which was scheduled to be held at Rehman Malik’s residence on Monday evening. In his condolence message, Malik expressed grief over the demise of Kakar, provincial president of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party. He said he was a great, brave and visionary politician who always raised his voice for the rights of poor people. He prayed may the departed soul rest in peace and Allah give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.