'Nawaz was elected as PM, not absolute monarch'

E-Paper | July 27, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari announced his support for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan's demand for recounting of votes in four constituencies, saying that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should not have any fears regarding a recount if there was no rigging during elections last year.

In a statement issued by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)'s media wing, the party's co-chairman said that if needed, a recount may be carried out in 40 constituencies instead of four. He added that people had elected Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of the country and not as an absolute monarch. He also criticised Nawaz's interference in other provinces.

The former president expressed surprise and dismay over the government's delay in vote recount for four constituencies in Lahore. "The heavens would not fall if the demand was accepted," the statement issued by spokesperson Senator Farhatullah quoted him as saying.

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Recounting of votes in constituencies where there are complaints and demands should be carried out whether such constituencies are in Punjab or Sindh or elsewhere, the former president was quoted as saying.

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He said that the PPP has accepted the poll results for the sake of democracy and the democratic process but it cannot abandon the people who are undergoing unimaginable hardships compounded by load shedding and water shortages in the sweltering heat.

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atif

Jul 15, 2014 05:23pm

he is enjoying it what a genius wish he had used him mind, just 5% of it positively and i bet pak would have become flourishing a real genius

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Bilal

Jul 15, 2014 05:23pm

Thanks God, a sane statement from PPP finally came through.

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Dystopia

Jul 15, 2014 05:23pm

If only were he this compassionate for the poor during his own tenure.

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Khan

Jul 15, 2014 05:39pm

This is that moment when every one will be gunning for every one. Conclusion: Nawaz has to go NOW.

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ghuman

Jul 15, 2014 05:44pm

did these words camoe out zardri,s mouth?

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khalid

Jul 15, 2014 05:50pm

Never thought I would agree with Zardari , but when you are right you are right.

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Qamar

Jul 15, 2014 06:00pm

Funny...how politicians fool people. Zardari and Nawaz are each other's supporter for their family rule to continue. Zardari is only putting pressure on Nawaz because recently Nawaz scolded Sindh's PPP government for extremely bad governance. When Nawaz will leave the Sindh government alone to continue what they are doing, Zardari will be Nawaz's buddy again.

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Jul 15, 2014 06:07pm

Look who's talking ?

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farida

Jul 15, 2014 06:07pm

Looking who is talking now this is called political mileage just tell zardari to forget about sindh province and let us know any project ever completed in his own constituency at least nawaz shariff is doing something commendable for punjab if not for pakistan

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M.M.Sherazi

Jul 15, 2014 06:08pm

Now Zardari has been brought out of the den, he should be aware as ex-president of Pakistan that by constitution and law the recounting of votes can take place within 90 days of holding the elections that too after lodging an appropriate complaint with the ECP. Why we have been voting for illiterate politicians??

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Hasan

Jul 15, 2014 06:43pm

To all people of Pakistan - Lets vote for Zardari or Bilawal next - OK.

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Umar

Jul 15, 2014 06:59pm

Both parties PPP & PML-N are absolute monarcy and useless.

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Aurangzeb

Jul 15, 2014 07:31pm

best ever statement made by mr zardari....

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nisar

Jul 15, 2014 09:18pm

Not a surprise. Lets see what Nawaz buddies and advisors Saad, Sana and Khawaja will say

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Aamir

Jul 15, 2014 09:49pm

Zardari is the same as Nawaz. Both in it for the money.

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Muhammad

Jul 15, 2014 10:20pm

@Hasan Really? ?

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jul 15, 2014 10:21pm

Look who is talking?

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Ganga Din

Jul 15, 2014 10:26pm

No he is not. Mr. Zardari, you were the only Monarch Pakistan had. Now you are a retired monarch, I hope.

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nasir

Jul 15, 2014 10:31pm

I smell something is cooking. All of a sudden Zardari came out and talking in the favor of PTI. PTI can not beat PPP and PMLN in dirty Pakistani politics. Extreme caution advise for PTI.

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Jul 15, 2014 10:34pm

Mr. Zardari, surely Sharifs are proving to be incompetent but you also live up to your reputations. Even a 5th grade child can read your statement and see how you black mail the government to get your men installed in Sindh who then can allow your corruptions to go on. The myth that Politicians are the biggest mafia is so true in Pakistan.

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Ashok R.Prabhu

Jul 15, 2014 10:49pm

Weren't Ayub Khan,Yahya Khan and Zia-Ul-Huq absolute Rulers of Pakistan ?What did you do then ?

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Lucky Star

Jul 15, 2014 10:53pm

Nawaz Sharif never said that he was absolut monarch! Definitely, Sindh is in a big mess under PPP rule.

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Lucky Star

Jul 15, 2014 10:55pm

Talking about division of Punjab into two provinces is interference by PPP leadership in Punjab's affairs.

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Rogers Evans

Jul 15, 2014 11:48pm

Look, who is blaming Nawaz Sharif ? Both Zardari and Nawaz are not good leaders. These both persons are corrupt,dictators and authortarian.

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Hope

Jul 16, 2014 12:09am

Look who is talking, Pakistanis have a very short term memory. They forget even what happened a year ago, and this is a pity , this is why we keep reelecting the same faces again and again.

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Surinder Singh Gill (Advocate) Austin TX

Jul 16, 2014 01:10am

This is against principles of good politics that about after a year some one asking for recount. Demand for recount should be made before the result is declared. If PTI feels something wrong then they should challage the election by a election petition and let the court or election commission decide the matter. It is not democracy that people should come on roads for every demand. It hurts common man and progress of the country. Imran is not showing htat he is different than other politicians. Let the people of Pakistan live peacefully and all work jointly for betterment of its peoples and make democracy strong and transparent.

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Shahid Khan

Jul 16, 2014 01:47am

Mr Zardari!! Please use your smart head for the betterment of Pakistanis. You are the smartest among Pak politicians. However, I don't know if you are sincere to people's welfare or to your personal welfare only.

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Narinder

Jul 16, 2014 02:23am

Dear Mr Zardari, You became President of Pakistan which is technically a non-political post. Before you assumed this august post, you were leading a political party but after getting into the office, you were the president of all the citizens of Pakistan not just only the Pakistan Peoples Party. And now , when you are no longer in office, you are getting pension and perks as an ex-president of Pakistan, a position which has nothing to do with the politics. Please maintain the high dignity of the office and do not indulge in politics. Let others take the political field. It does not behove you sir.

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mjk

Jul 16, 2014 02:56am

@Surinder Singh Gill (Advocate) Austin TX Surinder Sahib : IK has been demanding from day one but wheels of the justice are jammed.

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Raja

Jul 16, 2014 04:41am

Zardari was the best president ever. He is an icon.

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Ajmal

Jul 16, 2014 06:03am

@Surinder Singh Gill (Advocate) Austin TX where is peace, justice and tranquillity? ??? No way Imran should come forward to save democracy. ..

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Hassan

Jul 17, 2014 08:41am

@Qamar There is weight in your argument. Up to yesterday they were saving democracy. They are not interested to save Pakistan and its people, waiting for their turn. These two parties have made Pakistan their JAGEER. There is a lot of load shedding and scarce of water in Karachi, specially in the areas, where poor and lower middle class is residing. We are "AWAM" to cast them vote only, then there is no value of "AWAM" as awam means common men or men of no importance in their opinion. These common men even do not deserve to have water in their homes once in a month.

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