National unity government<\/strong><\/p>\nMr Zardari projected that no single party would be able to get 172 seats of the National Assembly and a national unity coalition government would be formed after the coming elections.<\/p>\n
Regarding potential political alliances, Mr Zardari said the PPP was open to forming coalitions with any party. \u201cIf the N-league (PML-N) does not go with us, we can make an alliance with other parties,\u201d he said, stressing that politics \u201cis a chessboard\u201d.<\/p>\n
Emphasising that neither the PPP, PML-N nor JUI-F could achieve a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, he said, \u201cIt is better to move forward in a way that we can go together.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for the possibility of the PML-N supremo becoming prime minister for the fourth time, Mr Zardari said: \u201cI think Nawaz Sharif will not have a lead role. Other parties also exist. Why is PPP being underestimated? We have given them a chance, and now it\u2019s our turn.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the possibility of a delay in elections, Mr Zardari confidently asserted that the upcoming polls would take place as scheduled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why we are out and covering all of Pakistan, going everywhere. Political campaigns are healthy for political parties,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
PTI\u2019s offer to PPP<\/strong><\/p>\nHe criticised PTI Chairman Imran Khan, blaming him for the country\u2019s economic challenges and isolation for lacking any view or capability to run the government.<\/p>\n
\u201cPakistan has been isolated from the world due to Imran. He was an enemy of the economy and responsible for Pakistan\u2019s economic woes,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Mr Zardari claimed that the PTI had offered six ministries to the PPP if it made an alliance with Mr Khan\u2019s party. \u201cWhy should I take six ministries?\u201d he wondered.<\/p>\n
When Mr Mir, the talk show host, asked whether former spymaster Faiz Hamid was behind the attempts to forge an alliance between the PTI and the PPP, Mr Zardari avoided a direct response. Instead, he asked Mr Mir whether he wanted him to face Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which deals with confessional statements before a magistrate.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the PDM\u2019s April 2022 move to oust Imran Khan as prime minister, Mr Zardari insisted that Pakistan would have suffered if Mr Khan had stayed.<\/p>\n
Experience with PDM govt<\/strong><\/p>\nMr Zardari said the PPP\u2019s experience with the previous government led by the multi-party coalition was quite difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was impressed by (then prime minister) Shehbaz Sharif as he used to start work at six in the morning and finish it till nine in the night,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
However, the former president said he asked Shehbaz several things \u201cwhich he did not consider and it harmed the country\u201d.<\/p>\n
Responding to a question about Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari\u2019s recent remarks on generational change in politics, Mr Zardari said Bilawal still needed more time to be fully trained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe younger generation these days has their own thinking,\u201d Mr Zardari said. \u201cEveryone has a right to express their thoughts. Stopping someone would only create more problems. If he (Bilawal) says, \u2018You do politics, I will not\u2019, what will I do?\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked whether he was playing \u201cgood cop, bad cop\u201d, Mr Zardari said: \u201cThis is not a police station where good cop, bad cop is played to get a confession out of someone. If Bilawal were in business with me, he would\u2019ve said the same thing. In politics, too. This is every household\u2019s story.\u201d<\/p>\n
He revealed that senior PPP leader Farhatullah Babar had resigned as secretary general of the party\u2019s parliamentarians\u2019 unit (PPPP) and would soon head the PPP\u2019s human rights cell.<\/p>\n
Emphasising the importance of the 18th constitutional amendment, Mr Zardari said it would be implemented more effectively under a PPP-led government.<\/p>\n
Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2023<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u2022 Predicts no single party will secure two-thirds majority\u2022 Acknowledges \u2018talented\u2019 Bilawal needs more experience in politics\u2022 Defends Imran\u2019s ouster, accuses him of plotting to extend stay ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday anticipated the formation of a \u201cnational unity government\u201d after the upcoming general election, insisting that no single party would be 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