Raza Rabbani in tears: 'Ashamed to vote against conscience'

E-Paper | October 13, 2026

Raza Rabbani in tears: 'Ashamed to vote against conscience'

Dawn.com Published January 6, 2015

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Raza Rabbani was in tears on Tuesday after voting in the upper house on the 21st Constitutional Amendment for setting up military courts in the country.

Rabbani said that he voted on the amendment against his own conscience, adding that he had never felt more ashamed in his life.

“I have been in the Senate for more than 12 years, but have never been as ashamed as I am today and I cast my vote against my conscience,” said the PPP leader.

The senator said the vote that he had cast in support of the amendment was on the PPP's behalf.

Rabbani had recently said that parliament has had the honour of not validating illegal acts of military dictators in the past, but was now “taking its last breath”.

He has been of the view that after the passage of the 21st Amendment bill, the constitution would no more remain “pure”.

Rabbani has been among the more prominent PPP leaders who have criticised the party's decision to support the establishment of military courts.

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Sahil

Jan 06, 2015 07:27pm

really! first time voted

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Azhar Hussain

Jan 06, 2015 07:28pm

This is the funniest thing I ever heard. If you had conscience, Mr. Rabbani your interior Sindh if not whole of Pakistan would have been paradise by now.

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Goga Nalaik

Jan 06, 2015 07:29pm

Rabbani sahab, people with such level of conviction resign from their office. Did you???

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imran bhatti

Jan 06, 2015 07:29pm

does he really has conscience?

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nehans

Jan 06, 2015 07:29pm

Rabbani Sb first time you did something for the country though it was against your conscience

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Bratva

Jan 06, 2015 07:30pm

Mr.Rabbani where was your conscious when the inaction of PPP government in reforming judicial process has led to release of terrorists?

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Riazullah Baig

Jan 06, 2015 07:31pm

If you are really a man of some character, resign from both senate and your party as it is no more a political party but a fiefdom. Just shouting stuff like this will not make any impressions in the days to come.

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I. Ahmed

Jan 06, 2015 07:31pm

Conscience? Really!

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Lucky Star

Jan 06, 2015 07:32pm

Why this is a news anyway?

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Shafiq

Jan 06, 2015 07:32pm

You got to be ashamed of your action. You were there to use your best judgement and have been paid well. This was the real test and you flunked . You do not deserve to be there. Get out if you have any honour left. There are others who did the same but because they are so enslaved they don't speak. What kind of people are you?

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Anarchist

Jan 06, 2015 07:32pm

Why would you vote against your conscience? You and Aitzaz give long speeches on democracy, constitution etc and then always toe party line or what Zardari says. Never once I have seen either of these gentlemen question party leadership over principles that they seem to stand for. This is double game and pure topi drama for public consumption. After all Fazal and JUI did not vote albeit for their own reasons. At least they had the guts not to vote against their 'conscience'.

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Adnan Anwar

Jan 06, 2015 07:32pm

Pakistani politicians and Judiciary deserves military courts.

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AXH

Jan 06, 2015 07:34pm

I didn't know you had a conscience because if you did, you would not have supported Zardari as your leader and the President for five years.

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Usman

Jan 06, 2015 07:35pm

hahaha what a hypocrite ...

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Aqbal

Jan 06, 2015 07:35pm

Good man.

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Ali

Jan 06, 2015 07:38pm

Sorry Mr.Rabbani..your Parliament and ideology of justice is dysfunctional. Thousands have died and there is no justice for them.Army tested your so called democracy for 8 years now. You have failed to deliver a bit and plunged the country into darkness. Its the army's turn now. Your tears are proofs your personal attachment to your past. Not the current reality.

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Hope

Jan 06, 2015 07:39pm

Its called Hypocrisy sir.

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muhammad

Jan 06, 2015 07:40pm

He is the main architect of 18th Amendment in Constitution, which literally destroyed the very foundation of Pakistan federal structure

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ali

Jan 06, 2015 07:40pm

"He voted against his conscience" I am really surprised that these guys have any such thing like that.All our politicians are indeed sub standard material by all scales of judgement.

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Kamran Khan

Jan 06, 2015 07:41pm

Why didn't he resigned .......haa

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GKBaloch

Jan 06, 2015 07:41pm

Mr. Rabbani , do n't let it bother you. Just look back and for a moment ask yourself , " How could I go along with AAZardari when he nominated then 19 years old son Bilawal as chairman of PPP ? "

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Ubedullah

Jan 06, 2015 07:43pm

shame on you. One one expecting people like you vote for it. If everything is going to mange by Army then what is need of parliament and democracy. You all are paid politician.

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mubashar

Jan 06, 2015 07:44pm

U shud hav had the moral courage to resign.....if u had conscience

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Adnan Anjum

Jan 06, 2015 07:45pm

Well Mr. Senator! You had the option to vote against the amendment.

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Mohammad Akhtar

Jan 06, 2015 07:45pm

Shut up and be quiet now, you already voted and now telling stories.

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responsible

Jan 06, 2015 07:46pm

Champions of democracy. Trying to fool people by crying and having crocodile tears.

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syed wasim haider

Jan 06, 2015 07:47pm

I appreciate your feelings but it was the fault of your last government and this present one who performed below average on every front. They were never serious in solving this issue until the recent Peshawar carnage. Anything is on the canvas in future and perhaps u have visualised it,

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Loimashar

Jan 06, 2015 07:47pm

Are you ashamed of yourself. If yes than why did you vote against your conscience. Now that you have already voted, you are trying to rebuild your image of a ,'man of privciple', which you are not. You are in a confused state of mind, and that is what you are expecting from an ordinary voter on the street.

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Zero-Conscience

Jan 06, 2015 07:48pm

So he sold his conciousness for the party? Zero Respect for you Mr.Rabbani, a man who sells his principles for any reasons is no man.

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Abbas Ali

Jan 06, 2015 07:50pm

I am surprised at his statement. Is his conscience still alive after defending PPP government's action in Thar?

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pagrri Sanbhaal

Jan 06, 2015 07:50pm

Conscience? rare commodity in politicians.

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Mian Kashif Mumtaz

Jan 06, 2015 07:52pm

Peoples party and conscience ?

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hamza khan

Jan 06, 2015 07:53pm

i would argue from a PPP standpoint, this might have been the most pro-pakistan thing he has done in his 12 years. being associated with a feudal backwards party should have been weighing on his conscience from day 1.

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zohaib

Jan 06, 2015 07:54pm

He should be ashamed of feeling ashamed at voting for pakistan's best interest

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Ali Gohar

Jan 06, 2015 07:56pm

Not a big deal. The entire PPP has been acting against the collective conscience of its vote bank.

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Jan 06, 2015 07:58pm

'Crocodile tears' OR 'Hedging your bets both ways' - wonder which describes this 'politicians' statement. If indeed there was such a thing as conscience - then there was nothing preventing him from crossing the party line. If the conscience surfaced after the having voted - then, instead of the dramatic press statement, he should simply resign from politics. Otherwise, this 'leader of democarcy', should save his theatrics - not many are in the mood for comedy from a 'joker'. He is not saving his face by such stupid utterances, but only further ridiculing himself.

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Imran A.

Jan 06, 2015 07:58pm

sorry but you don't show self respect when you made this statement. Actions speak louder than words, either sign or resign, but don't tell us you sorry story, we have absolutely zero mercy for politicians.

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Anand

Jan 06, 2015 08:02pm

There was an option for you Mr. Rabbani. By not participating. This is a perfect depiction of crocodile's tears

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nasiroski

Jan 06, 2015 08:04pm

Mr Rabbani if you had any conscience you would have reigned before you voted against it. If you just discovered your conscience may be it is not a bad idea to resign now.

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Abbas

Jan 06, 2015 08:04pm

If you didnt agree the honorable thing would have been to resign and not cry!

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Ehsan

Jan 06, 2015 08:07pm

Crocodile tears, if you would love democracy so much, RESIGN, right away, No shame at all, Impotant politicians, just good at plundering the country....

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Shahid

Jan 06, 2015 08:09pm

respect

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Majid Sheikh

Jan 06, 2015 08:11pm

Mr. Raza Rabbani, I understand your sentiment. Surely military courts under civil law, like in Ireland, was a more honourable way out.

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Munir

Jan 06, 2015 08:11pm

No tears or any shade of shame for kids dying in Thar on daily basis under your government?

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Habibullah Khimany

Jan 06, 2015 08:17pm

Where was your conscience when your leaders plundered millions of dollars? Actually Pakistan is changing and you are afraid that you may be accountable, that is what the tears are for.

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Ashraf Choudhry

Jan 06, 2015 08:18pm

What you sow so shall you reap. No use crying over spilt milk.

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Mohsin

Jan 06, 2015 08:20pm

Are you kidding me? If your conscience was so strong, you would have taken a stand against the party and denied to cast your vote. Better yet, you should have resigned from a party that makes you vote against your "conscience"!

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AlFatmi

Jan 06, 2015 08:21pm

Mr Rabbani, if you truly believe in democracy & man of such conscience , why didn't you resign today. For a change listen to the voice of your conscience rather then your leader.

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Husain Akhtar

Jan 06, 2015 08:31pm

Don’t know how the party Whip works in the Pakistan parliamentary system, but in the established democratic systems like in the UK, we have many examples of defying the Whip and boldly facing consequences where one feels so strongly as Raza Rabbani publicises after the event! London

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muhammad

Jan 06, 2015 08:32pm

He is ashamed of voting for a bill which is need of Pakistani people and for Pakistan ! he is not all ashamed for representing the most corrupt feudal party in Pakistan

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tinker bell

Jan 06, 2015 08:33pm

If thats the case he should have resigned. All of you have no problem suppressing the voice of conscience. We all no that. No more crocodile tears

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dawar a khan

Jan 06, 2015 08:36pm

Raza Rabbani is being disingenuous. showing grief after casting his vote in favor of the Amendment in Pakistan reeks of double standard.. Gutsy guys will take a firm stand and vote according to their conscious. He could have opposed or abstained from voting.

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Jan 06, 2015 08:41pm

Not ashamed at how your party ignored deaths of 50000 pakistanis and gave leverage to terrorists by declaring moratorium in death penalty

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sid

Jan 06, 2015 08:41pm

These people are pathetic! Their so called democratic rights (key to corruption in reality) is more important then the country itself.

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Rubya

Jan 06, 2015 08:42pm

Hope we shed tears in the same manner when innocent died in Peshawar school.

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shezad

Jan 06, 2015 08:48pm

What does he mean by "pure" constitution? Every constitution undergoes heavy amendments.

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ilyas

Jan 06, 2015 08:49pm

Better go home

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ConscienceSeller

Jan 06, 2015 08:50pm

What is he trying to say here??....for PPP he would sell his conscience?

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Pahore Muhammad

Jan 06, 2015 08:56pm

Raza Rabani was the man of honor in PPP.

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Waseem

Jan 06, 2015 09:08pm

he and his party have given nothing to Pakistan except corruption and looting. so, please stop this drama.

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Tabinda

Jan 06, 2015 09:10pm

Why didn't he resign?

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Fappy

Jan 06, 2015 09:20pm

Why not resign in shame?

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Shazaib

Jan 06, 2015 09:20pm

Should have performed to make systems better. Politicians still have time to work better and not just make money.

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khan

Jan 06, 2015 09:28pm

Hypocrite , commits the crime yet wants to be a hero, what a country , what shameless so called leaders ,

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Fakhir

Jan 06, 2015 09:28pm

Please resign don't vote against will

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khan

Jan 06, 2015 09:28pm

Would be better to resign and smile than vote and then cry

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Wajid Khan

Jan 06, 2015 09:31pm

Hypocrisy at its best. Corruption is rampant everywhere in Pakistan. No Voice. No shame. No health care for masses. No shame No Education for Kids. No shame No Justice for masses. No Shame. Ashamed because he voted for courts which definitely gonna be better than the civil courts. Have you ever tried to fix the Justice System of Pakistan Mr. Rabbani?

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hassan

Jan 06, 2015 09:32pm

So the vote is not valid and conscience at time of NRO? I wish Rabanni reads these comments on Dawn to get some fearful tears

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ashok kumar lal

Jan 06, 2015 09:51pm

Conscience is fine, but money and perks come from being in office.

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Merchant

Jan 06, 2015 10:00pm

Not conscious but crocodile tears!!

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Naik Muhammad Sajid

Jan 06, 2015 10:04pm

Mr.Rabbani you are really a great man.you did a lot of work for democracy,freedom and for the powerful parliament.I salute you.

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Imran

Jan 06, 2015 10:06pm

Why did u vote then. Or may be he cried on failed politicians

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Range Rover

Jan 06, 2015 10:07pm

What a wonderful politician Reza Rabbani is, he is indeed an asset for Pakistan and PPP. PPP has helped PMLN govt in making consensus for this amendment, whether you like it or not, PPP is the only party which unites Pakistan and can bring all the political parties to consensus. No one in PPP like this amendment, but they have voted for it because we have had enough of being labeled as Traitors and bla bla from Ghairat Brigade. I am proud of my Party and its sacrifices for democracy. Long Live Pakistan, Long Live PPP!

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Hussain

Jan 06, 2015 10:10pm

Topi Drama!!! These politicians have no shame what so ever

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umer salahuddin

Jan 06, 2015 10:19pm

Where was your conscious when PPP was in power for 5 years and corruption was at its peak and Pakistan was run from the presidency. Now an action is being taken against terrorism you are talking about conscious.

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zafar

Jan 06, 2015 10:20pm

A more honorable position would have been to have reigned,. These look like crocodile ears.

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Ahmad

Jan 06, 2015 10:24pm

Mr. Rabbani, was the constitution pure after 18th, 19th and 20th ammendments to accomodate NRO and other measures that were used to safeguard lootings and nepotism. Democracy was given more than enough time to prove its worth. Let the time take its course now.

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KUKhan

Jan 06, 2015 10:24pm

The amendments are the first in the list of many more to come, due to incompetence of people like Rabbani and politics in Pakistan. Mr. Rabbani should cry on the plight of common citizens who face hardship and die a meaningless death due to a system that ensures inequality, injustice and cruelty on daily basis.

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Akber

Jan 06, 2015 10:39pm

@Ali Very well said sir.

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Khan-Haqiqi

Jan 06, 2015 10:41pm

He is not in tears on poor performance of Political government of PPP and PML-N ? Who stopped these government to improve Judicial system, reduce corruption, good governance, conduct local body election and empower people at lower level. These are called crocodile tears.

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Azam Jamil

Jan 06, 2015 10:50pm

This is SO typical. Cover your bets both ways.

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Kadir khan

Jan 06, 2015 10:53pm

Raza Rabanni, Aitezaz Ahsan and Amin Fahim you are PPP not Rehman Malik and Asif Zardari.

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Ganga Din

Jan 06, 2015 10:56pm

If you had to vote against your conscience, you should have resigned. This is the problem with Pakistan. You can't have it both ways.

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sara mehmood

Jan 06, 2015 10:56pm

how many tears he shed on the deaths of innocent children in thar who starved to death just bcz of his party's gov neglect.

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Peshawari Pakhtun

Jan 06, 2015 10:59pm

"against my conscience"--Mr. Rabbani actually means: "against my interest". If Mr. Rabbani is truly a man of conscience or a man of principle, he would part ways with his party.

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arifkasam

Jan 06, 2015 11:05pm

If you had conscience you should have left PPP 4 years ago, and would not have supported the plundering of Pakistan by Zardari

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Sonofthesoil

Jan 06, 2015 11:07pm

Mr. Rabbani and other politicians and lawyers should be much more ashamed of not having done anything when they should have.

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Qamar

Jan 06, 2015 11:41pm

Drama.

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ALI

Jan 06, 2015 11:43pm

Mr.Rabbani is good jayala of PPP. i appreciate with you. but now this is your good decision.

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syed

Jan 07, 2015 12:04am

They have conscious ?!?!?

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Arshad

Jan 07, 2015 12:17am

@ Peshawari Pakhtun Excellent comment. I didn't believe when came to know that Mr. Rabbani's father was assistant of our great leader Quaid-i-Azam. This is what he learnt from his father to side with Crooks and name it as golden principles. I feel ditched by these leaders and it appears they have genetically gone corrupt.

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Toordada

Jan 07, 2015 12:17am

Did zardari put a gun to your head or Raheel twisted your arm? in any event why don't you resign as a protest.

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concerned

Jan 07, 2015 12:22am

topi drama. if he had a conscience he wouldn't be working under Zardari

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Fiz

Jan 07, 2015 12:36am

And we are in tears on what kind of politicians we have!

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Farooq

Jan 07, 2015 12:45am

Where was his conscience when his party was ripping Pakistan apart for so many years ????

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abp

Jan 07, 2015 12:56am

Raza has lost my respect. He should have resigned and could have become a hero for many like me.

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javed qamer

Jan 07, 2015 01:09am

what a hypocrat this guy is. He belongs to PPP which is the most corrupt party in the history of Pakistan. He should have resigned. but he likes the cushy job and perks he gets.

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E Star

Jan 07, 2015 01:28am

Ever politician has done or said something against their conscious which went in favour to this country. If they all started working against their conscious Pakistan would be one great country one day.

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MAlvi

Jan 07, 2015 01:28am

The first proof of your lack of conscience is that you are with Zardari and his son. You are a hypocrite. PPP is not a democratic party. If you had conscience, you would not have accepted that kid, Bilawal, as your party chairman. This goes for all PPP politicians, including Aitzaz, Babar Awan, Fahim, etc.

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Kanwarch

Jan 07, 2015 01:33am

I do not buy this argument from this politician. If he feels so strongly about this issue then he should have resigned from senate and his party rather than casting his vote. Furthermore I have never seen any tears in his eyes when he is working under a corrupt leader (Zardari) and seeing how his corrupt colleagues are looting and plundering his motherland in front of his eyes. I have lost all respect for these so called intellectuals like him

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mango aadmi

Jan 07, 2015 01:34am

magarmach Kay ansu

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Key Points

Jan 07, 2015 01:45am

Oh, please. Gimme a break.

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Danish

Jan 07, 2015 01:45am

Destroyer of higher education. shame on you. What a Hippocrate. Instead crying, you must have resigned. Leadership doesn't need crying.

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Sailay

Jan 07, 2015 01:48am

Crocodile tears.

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Dr Gul Metlo

Jan 07, 2015 01:49am

Why Raza Rabani did not exercise the right to remain absent, as some PPP legislators did in 1973 at the time of passing of 1973 constitution.

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Danish

Jan 07, 2015 01:52am

If not before, but after reading comments from whole Pakistan here Mr. Rabbani you should resign.

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Rao M Khan

Jan 07, 2015 01:54am

Being a student of law I could never stand with this kind of amendment. I have been following Mr Rabbani since long and really respect him for his firm and bold stands, his approach towards due process of law and raising his voice for Human Rights. I can understand his feelings whilst his voting in favour of the amendments. Sometimes we have to sacrifice even our ideology. Let's hope that the amendments shall help our nation get the desired results.

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Dr Gul Metlo

Jan 07, 2015 01:54am

@muhammad 18 th amendment has in fact provided the solid foundations to save Pakistan from disintegration. Rabani was the main architect of it. His name would go a long way in history for this. After 1973 constitution 18 amendment was the biggest achievement in the history of constitutionalism in Pakistan.

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mohammad

Jan 07, 2015 02:03am

You support zardari, i dont need to explain further.

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Jan 07, 2015 02:28am

Crocodile Tears...Save it for Zardari.

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CONCERNED HUMAN

Jan 07, 2015 02:33am

This guy actually have conscience, all i can say is WOW

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Abdul Malik

Jan 07, 2015 02:36am

@Azhar Hussain I agree 100%. These so called democracy lovers have no conscience nor character.

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Abdul Malik

Jan 07, 2015 02:40am

Mr. Rabbani you make me laugh ! stop these crocodile tears. You are not impressing anyone. Go home, retire and enjoy the rest of your life. You have already played havoc with our beautiful Province of Sindh and the entire Pakistan. We do not need politicians like you or your good for nothing characterless so called leader Zardari.

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Pragmatist

Jan 07, 2015 02:53am

Our guys have numerous times voted against their so called conscience. They have none of it. However, this vote was needed and no one should shed his tears.

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Kanwarch

Jan 07, 2015 02:54am

@MAlvi I agree all these are as corrupt and moraly bankrupt as their leader Zardari

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Jan 07, 2015 02:56am

Should have been a comedian in the movies.

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mian

Jan 07, 2015 03:00am

Why don't you follow your conscientiousness when it comes to obey the most corrupt person in history of our nation called Zardari?You don't feel guilty when you support or keep quite on corruption?Please stop this drama and just resign from your post instead of projecting yourself as something vital for democracy. We are sick and tired of this old generation politicians who have given nothing to our nation and still they are clueless to national issues.

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Shahid

Jan 07, 2015 03:01am

Wrong Number

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Akif

Jan 07, 2015 04:13am

iss sadgi pe kon na mar jaye ae Khuda

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W. Shaikh

Jan 07, 2015 04:17am

@Goga Nalaik Well said.

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Ali

Jan 07, 2015 04:18am

No need to cry and shed crocodile tears instead You should have RESIGNED

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Muhammad

Jan 07, 2015 04:48am

I am just speechless. What a profound statement!

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Saeeds

Jan 07, 2015 05:18am

I respect your point view. PPP is fighting a valour way for democracy where majority still have no clue about democracy. PPP is the only wall against ISIS . Otherwise people of Pakistan love iSIS like sharia or dictator like N Korean.

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Muzaffar Oklahoma

Jan 07, 2015 05:23am

Then u should have voted according to ur conscience .

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Ali

Jan 07, 2015 05:33am

What a hypocrite. Where is his conscious when hundreds of children are dying ins Sindh and he represents Sindh in senate? Where are his democratic principles when he supports a non democratic way of making a 25 year old as party chairmen without elections in party without any service record. Where is his conscious when his party loot millions from poor people and he claps to make his Zardari happy. This guy does not fear God and thinks he can fool everyone all the time just to get some money. Shame on you

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Hugh Slaman

Jan 07, 2015 05:56am

Where was your conscience when the Election Commission was appointed in violation of the Constitution? Do you only care about the Constitution when it is used to block something beneficial?

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Ahmed

Jan 07, 2015 06:17am

I'm ashamed to see our leaders value a piece of paper more than our very lives . I would love to see Mr.Raza Rabbani showing the same amount of passion for the children of Thar . For God sake man you have to be alive first before exercising your rights.

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Jasim

Jan 07, 2015 06:30am

He supported the biggest most infamous Conman as a leader of his party and nothing happened to his conscious and now he discovered he has one!

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Imran Khan

Jan 07, 2015 07:13am

Mind is blown! If he was so against this, he should have voted against this and resigned. At least then he would be at peace with his so called "conscience"

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Ahmed

Jan 07, 2015 07:19am

Stop being hard on the man...as people say on the FB relationship is complicated. Raza Rabbani is a man of integrity and of modest mean ...but he has not tried to enrich himself...In our culture things are easier said then done...at least he has the guts ti come out say what he felt. No one else dared say a word except Moulana Fazal.

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A. Khan

Jan 07, 2015 07:50am

After the APS massacre, public wanted retribution against the terrorists. In order to do that, a civilian government instead of trying to fix the legal system, stooped to institutionalize military courts through an act of parliament. If PPP had opposed it, public would have said that they supported the terrorists. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. Now they have brought into play the very courts that have been PPP's bane for decades. I certainly hope that the terms of reference for these courts are clearly defined and there is a time limit up to which they can function. Otherwise we had anti-terrorist courts for so many years. As long as the legal system remains corrupt, all such solutions are mere band aids to gaping wounds.

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Azam

Jan 07, 2015 08:09am

What a joke.

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Saleem

Jan 07, 2015 08:13am

What utter notice. Under Zardari and Nawaz we have become a lawless, corrupt society. We have the most corrupt person in our history "Zardari" and now Nawaz will equal him. So stop those "mugermuch" tears - in fact you SHOULD RESIGN. Then when the only loyal source the ARMY wants to do the correct thing, then its suddenly " we are losing democracy". When did we have democracy? WIth Zardari preparing his son Bilwal and Nawaz preparing his and already with his brother as CM, do you call this democracy. Its laughable...

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Umar

Jan 07, 2015 08:23am

Military courts are not and never will be a part of the solution ...

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Hasnain

Jan 07, 2015 08:30am

@Bratva what had they done to clean country of terrorists during their five year rule.except corruption ,corruption and corruption.

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Mohammad

Jan 07, 2015 08:33am

He had no tears for children perished in Thar or the kids in Peshawar but to save democracy, what democracy? one that saved their skins? They were in government for five years and what do they have to show for it. More misery, poverty, load shedding, economic demise of the country, nation riddled with acts terror and total silence on all fronts. Indifference to the plight of common man. Our nation will never learn but continue to support the so called champions of democracy . Please before commenting on the virtues of democracy (in our part of he world in particular) think twice and stop defending these villains.

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Hasnain

Jan 07, 2015 08:37am

@muhammad Very true .He was the one who created present election commission ,which is root cause of rigging 2012 election.Throughthis amendment both Zardari and Nawaz planned to stay in power forever.

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Hasnain

Jan 07, 2015 08:37am

@AXH very true.

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AbuAli

Jan 07, 2015 08:51am

Still you have choive to resign....go ahead pl....listen to your voice of concience.

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haider

Jan 07, 2015 09:15am

Means being ashamed is not new for him but this time it was more

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Abbas

Jan 07, 2015 09:20am

Looks like a joke, Pakistan is losing its kids and you are talking about the party policy. What about the policies for Pakistan, u n ur kids are eating produces and tax payers.

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Ishaq

Jan 07, 2015 09:21am

@Anarchist --- And PTI too didn't vote.

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Ishaq

Jan 07, 2015 09:21am

@Anarchist --- And PTI too didn't vote.

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Khalifa

Jan 07, 2015 09:41am

Most of the MNAs and Senators belonging to PPP are giving statements and appearances like Mr Rabbani. In his capacity as a politician, he is rated by many as slightly better than the rest of the lot that we have in what is left of the PPP. But I have few questions to ask from Mr Rabbani: 1. Is dynastic practices have any place in democracy? 2. When were the last elections held within the PPP at the ward, district and provincial level? 3. Who appoints members to the central executive committee of the party? and how? 4. Did you read Article 140 A of the constitution and the many judgements passed by the Supreme Court advising the provincial governments to conduct the local elections? Can we boast of having a democracy in a country where the ordinary are even disenfranchized from electing their municipal councillors to look after their streets, mohallas and neighbourhoods? Mr Rabbani, you cannot run with the hares and hunt with the hounds, all the time!

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Mian Amir Hakim

Jan 07, 2015 09:49am

Dear Mr. Rabbani. No doubt, your tears will be remembered for ever in the history of hypocrites. It is so easy to cry and so difficult to either abstain from being a part of the process you dislike or resig. The later being much difficult.

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Awan

Jan 07, 2015 09:54am

If you can sit in a meeting where a juvenile is dictating the policies...your conscience does not bother you, if there is deliberate delay in investigation in Bibi's murder you keep mum, there is no news of your tears on dying children in Thar...why make a spectacle now? People thought ilks of you and Aitzaz were intellectuals in the party...but how wrong have we been? Come on...stop shedding tears! If you were man enough you should've spoken to be heard on the floor of the Senate and come out...you would have been respected for rest of your life as a man of principles...but not by voting with your tears!

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Masood Raja

Jan 07, 2015 10:04am

Alas, he has never been in tears when his boss and his cronies were busy in looting and plundering Pakistan and its people.

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Zaraq

Jan 07, 2015 10:13am

Hypocrite , where was your conscience when you accepted Zardari as a leader ? where is your conscience when every day children die in Thar ? where was your conscience when your party looted billions in their recent tenure ? This bill was needed for Pakistan , you were ashamed on voting for Pakistan? you should be ashamed of yourself for bringing politics in this matter too , and then again since JUI and JI didnt vote , you could've not voted too . . but you had crocodile tears to shed :)

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Fans without Borders

Jan 07, 2015 10:26am

Crocodile tears. if you accept Zardari as your leader knowingly his reality you are cheating.

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Azam Khan

Jan 07, 2015 10:26am

These are crocodile tears Mr. Rabbani. Where were you when Pakistan's national wealth was being plundered by your party chief and his cronies for a full five years.

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Abdul Hameed

Jan 07, 2015 10:30am

Why Mr. Rabbani was not ashamed when PPP last government did rampant corruption? Why Mr. Rabbani was not ashamed when NRO was signed by his leaders? Why Mr. Rabbani was not ashamed when his last government failed to arrest the killers of Benazie Bhhtoo (Late)?

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Khalil Anwer Hassan

Jan 07, 2015 11:06am

Raza Rabbani has been bitten by the beast which he so diligently help creating in the shape of the 18th Amendment, giving all powers to the leader of a political party for throwing out any of its parliamentarians for not towing the party line. His words, in the Senate, as he broke down, were that he was using his vote, which he held as a trust on behalf of his Party, as desired by the PPPP leadership. For a person, whose late father Group Captain Atta Rabbani served as one of the ADCs to Quaid-e-Azam and accompanied the latter to Eidgah for his only Eid Prayer in Pakistan, Raza Rabbani's conscience should have awakened much earlier.

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Faisal Rana

Jan 07, 2015 11:07am

Raza Rabbani sahib - you are ashamed to vote against your conscience. Why don't you listen to your conscience and resign.

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Riaz

Jan 07, 2015 11:19am

Why vote against conscience?

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BringthemtoJustice!

Jan 07, 2015 11:31am

Oh paaleeze, cry me an river!!!! Someone please pass him a box of tissues. But who cares anyways? Did you hear the drying of Mothers and fathers who lost kids that darkest day in our history? Make sure you don't come to Peshawar, otherwise some one may make you shed some real tears, lots of them! We will bring those evil doers to justice, don't need your 'crocodile tears'.

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Rehman

Jan 07, 2015 11:33am

Well, the Nation is ashamed of you!!

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Ghalib

Jan 07, 2015 11:45am

Mr. Rabbani, Did you cry when Children were dying in Thar

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Ashamed

Jan 07, 2015 11:56am

What your party has done to Pakistan you should have resigned many years earlier

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Mujahid

Jan 07, 2015 11:57am

He is big Dramabaz. He still does not understand for being decades in governments that War like situation required war courts. He proclaiming that nation is at war but hypocritically not accepting as fear this come to corrupt leaders once finished terrorists.

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HASNAIN

Jan 07, 2015 12:15pm

@Goga Nalaik Correct and before voting !!

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Sharath Chandra

Jan 07, 2015 12:17pm

Moral disintegration of Pakistan is complete.

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Kanwarch

Jan 07, 2015 12:20pm

@Awan Totally agree with you. People like him and Aitizaz Ahsan are the worst offenders who are cleverly trying to portray themselves as some kind of honest intellectuals fighting for democracy in the country. Infact these two are the most corrupt and moraly bankrupt people in the party as they try to give an impression of honesty but still don't raise any voice over corruption done under their noses by people like Zardari. Gilani, Raja Power etc. they are happy to sit with them under leadership of Zardari and immature Bilawal but think they are protecting democracy. What a load of rubbish. Gone are the days when you can make people of Pakistan fool. Press should stop giving these jokers any serious mention as all the tears are for themselves, their inflated egos and their families

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Pakistani

Jan 07, 2015 12:23pm

@Adnan Anwar Well said Sir.

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Pakistani

Jan 07, 2015 12:25pm

@Ghalib Excellent point

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M.Kamran Khan

Jan 07, 2015 12:28pm

Look who is talking about conscience, Mr.Rabbani if you have even the Micro level conscience you would have not been working under zardari. Did you forget your role in the 18th Amendment paving way for the third time PMship for Nawaz Sharif. Did you forget your role in NRO, Please dont talk of conscience you all are shameless to the core of your hearts.

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mrhopsy

Jan 07, 2015 12:35pm

Sad, he didn't cry for Thar children.

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ijaz ahmad

Jan 07, 2015 12:36pm

Yes all the boys commentd right that hv u such traits in ur personalty,i thnk nt.if u thnk ths against the law,judicry,parliament and nation,thn y r u thr as a represntative of people.intrsts of ur party z nt highr than the nation's intrsts.what type of person u r.u sold ur conciens.

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sajid Mumtaz Khan

Jan 07, 2015 12:37pm

why be shamed & come with crocodile tears.......... if this is against your conscious then do not vote & resign from senate.

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Faisal

Jan 07, 2015 12:41pm

CROCODILE TEARS Mr Rabbani I could just wish that for once your conscious could have also cried for what you and your party are doing to this country, people of Sindh and to the people of Pakistan. Let me remind you if it has slipped your conscious ...that you will stand accountable to the Lord on the day of judgement....and with what you have been trusted with - in the face of given performance and support to your cronies!! I just shudder and a chill runs down my spine. how will you account yourself. May Allah saves us from such embarrassing position .

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SM ZAKI

Jan 07, 2015 12:41pm

Crocodile tears.

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Kamran

Jan 07, 2015 12:45pm

Crocodile tears. Should have the courage to resign. If he still feels the same he can even resign now.

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Asim

Jan 07, 2015 12:56pm

Mr. Rabbani, the nation would consider you a better person if your conscience had woken up on death of hundreds of hunger stricken kids in Sindh during PPP's government.

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Qamar

Jan 07, 2015 01:02pm

If this was the first time you did something against your 'conscience', then I assume your holy conscience was quite OK with being a part of Zardari's mafia that ruined this country!!

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Arshad

Jan 07, 2015 01:05pm

@Abdul Hameed Excellent Mr. Hameed. I think after reading so many comments he should resign from politics, in respect of his elders who had the pleasure of working with our great Quaid-i-Azam. If he thinks like his leader, we are not a nation of sheep which can be bullied under the garb of democracy which serves them only and not the masses.

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Arshad

Jan 07, 2015 01:12pm

@Azhar Hussain V. Good! In fact they are used to harness the efforts of others like they took 5 years to neutralize the effect of Musharraf's government, and very recently confirmed by Mr. Asif Zardari that "I am waiting for the pitch to be prepared by Imran Khan to play the final round to come to power", once again shows their instincts of doing only paper works and nothing on the ground. This is hallmark of PPP since its inception. Great ZA Bhutto also did great Paper Work for the people and destroyed institutions that would serve the masses. Likewise, his great "son_in_law" destroyed PIA, Railways, P. Steel Mills, and many other institutions. They take pride in illiteracy of their voters, but fail to admit that they the illiterate people can not rule forever in this country.

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Ahmad

Jan 07, 2015 01:13pm

If he is so ashamed, why did he vote !! and what conscience !!

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Haqparast

Jan 07, 2015 01:13pm

I appreciate Rabbani sb stance,This is only Politician who has courage to speak about anything which is against his will and also following party line, an example for other institutions like bureaucracy, military where people does not show their reservation when they are enjoying power but after retirement they at once wake up

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Mian Shahid Mehmood

Jan 07, 2015 02:09pm

Mr. Senator you are a worldy vice man. You preferred shames and blushes over perks and financial gain attached with your seat. In you the budding politicians and democrats of this country have lot to learn.

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Owais

Jan 07, 2015 02:28pm

Like tears on eyes of crocodiles.

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Mehboob Ali Lalani

Jan 07, 2015 06:13pm

This was ridiculous rather melodrama. Who has given power to party chief to buy conscience? Who made party chief so powerful? Was that according to democratic principle / spirit? Instead of crying he should have had resigned and not cast vote. Once the vote was cast, making of hue and cry has no sense.

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Hamid Khawaja

Jan 07, 2015 07:55pm

If he felt voting was against his conscience, WHY DID HE VOTE in favour of military courts? This is exactly the problem with our people, they cannot stand for what they believe. Shedding tears is no remedy.

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Jan 07, 2015 09:08pm

Unbelievable, When our politicians are going to grow up and show some dignity and respect to the office not to their party Leaders. Crying will not get u anywhere, resignation will do!

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Jan 07, 2015 09:11pm

Unbelievable, When our politicians are going to grow up and show some dignity and respect to the office not to party Leader.

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Dr. Sadaf

Jan 07, 2015 10:01pm

Hypocrisy at its height, does he mean to be taken seriously.

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Amad

Jan 07, 2015 10:14pm

Nothing but a drama! PPP gov like PML failed to provide security. Parliament should be locked nothing good coming out of it anyways.

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M. Johri ---canada

Jan 08, 2015 12:31am

@Goga Nalaik Yes resign , instead of shedding crocodile tears . You always support your Masters who happens to be corrupt ministers and other leaders. You are an old man , let some young blood should now come in politics.

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ziavrep labqi

Jan 08, 2015 01:09am

Does he really have a conscience? If he had one, he would have acted as per its dictate and then said so. And he has the gall to make a spectacle of his lack of conviction - for whatever reason. I am not impressed by his crocodile tears.

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ziavrep labqi

Jan 08, 2015 01:15am

@Dr. Sadaf He thinks the people are gullible and he can fool them at will. Save your tears for some other time, Mr.Rabbani.

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ziavrep labqi

Jan 08, 2015 01:38am

Take my advice, Senator ! Try your luck in TV or stage dramas - acting seems to come to you naturally after having befooled this nation for so many years.

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ziavrep labqi

Jan 08, 2015 02:01am

And some day Mr.Rabbani may also say that he allowed the loot and plunder of this unfortunate country against his conscience and that he did so on his party's behalf.

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ziavrep labqi

Jan 08, 2015 02:04am

Justification of the sin is more sinful than the sin itself.

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ziavrep labqi

Jan 08, 2015 02:36am

@Danish You really believe Mr.Rabbani has a conscience? The confirmatory test lies in his resignation from the senate as well as from PPP.

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ziavrep labqi

Jan 08, 2015 03:01am

@SK Very well said. I fully endorse you heartfelt sentiments.

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denise

Jan 08, 2015 03:08am

ashamed what raza rabani did drama , like a funny actor, only stupid and innocent public can consider it real, but raza rabbani did not weap when zardari looting robbing pakistani poor people funds and sources, raza rabbani did not weap when 50000 pakistani people killed by terrorist, raza rabbani did not weap when bhutto a great notanki and stage performer responsible for seperating east pakistan , rabbani did not weap when zardari and his party still looting bribery and robbing sources of poor sindhi these day,,,,,, thats v strange raza rabbani only weap when army wants to do some thing for pakistani people and want legal authority,,,,,,when pakistani public understand to these notankiz

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ziavrep labqi

Jan 08, 2015 08:06am

He forgot to cry while casting the vote ''on PPP's behalf''? Justification of the sin is worse than the sin itself.

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Zeesh

Jan 08, 2015 09:53am

This nation has lost more than 60,000 people to terrorist, more than 60,000 families are in tears, whole nation is crying for years. What is happening now is a direct result of Political system failure. Army will do now what politician could not do (and they had ample of time). Its your own fault Mr Rabani , its a consequence of your failure. Army will now clean up the mess that our politicians have created Insha ALLAH. May ALLAH keep our ARMY in his aman,(Ameen) Our prayers are with our brave Army.

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Raza

Jan 08, 2015 09:57am

Crocodile tears!!

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rizviirum@yahoo.com

Jan 08, 2015 11:13am

Rabbani Sahab, please donot try to shed crocodile tears. If as a Parliamentarians, you yourself and other, may have pass the proper and constitutional resolution 10 years back regarding the issue of terrorism and counter terroism, you would have not seen the day. This is all what you sow since your last 12 years as Senator so be ready to reap now. I still appreciate Gen. Musharaf who took action against the disgraced Lal Masjid & Co. Moreover,I still admire his foresightedness, which unfortuantely all of our so called seasoned Politician lack.

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Poland

Jan 08, 2015 11:27am

So what do u call a person who knows he's doing wrong but still does it?

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Rehana Batool

Jan 08, 2015 11:44am

“Conscience and cowardice are really the same things, Basil. Conscience is the trade-name of the firm. That is all.” ― Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.” ― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

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obaid

Jan 08, 2015 11:47am

Hippocracy at its limits. So ashamed to cry with tears in the assembly. But kursee naheen choron gaa.

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ziavrep labqi

Jan 08, 2015 12:05pm

@Rehana Batool Great thoughts of great persons, obviously for great persons - Raza Rabbani is not made of that stuff.

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Kanwarch

Jan 08, 2015 12:25pm

Mr Rabbani Read these comments, do the right thing and resign from senate.

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Aftab Ahmed Shah

Jan 08, 2015 03:29pm

Mr. Raza Rabbani is shedding tears now claiming having voted against his conscious. This is pure hypocrisy, nothing to do with reality. Can someone ask him who was first civilian marshal law administrator & during which democratic government military courts were first set up in Pakistan. If all this took place during Z. A. BHUTTO time where was Mr. Rabbani's conscious then. I very kindly & respectfully ask him to please spare the nation of double standards at least at this very critical juncture of Pakistan's history. If his conscious was so disturbed he could have simply refused to bow to party line & abstained from voting instead of dramatizing the situation. But by doing so he could have lost all the benefits he is enjoying currently, which he never wanted to happen.

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ziavrep labqi

Jan 08, 2015 04:18pm

@Khalil Anwer Hassan But his somnolent conscience is still serenely asleep. His antics in the Senate were for public consumption and had the blessing of Zardari, for sure.

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Zubair Nawaz

Jan 08, 2015 05:38pm

Should have resigned from the Senate and the party ! Surely would have been better than voting against conscience.

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Narejo

Jan 08, 2015 08:24pm

@SK indeed! I second u SK.

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Imran Bhatti

Jan 08, 2015 11:20pm

crocodile tears. he should have resigned instead. but vested interests does not allow. I really sorry for him.

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Amir Jan

Jan 09, 2015 12:27am

Shame on these hypocritical politicians such as Raza Rabbani. He should be ashamed of how Sindh is being misgoverned by his party and people are dying of hunger. If he has any conscience he would not be a part of PPP headed and run by so called leaders like Zardari who have amassed wealth while country has been ruined. Get out, resign if you have any conscience rather than voting and sticking around to enjoy perks as a senator.

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Omar

Jan 09, 2015 01:55am

It's very easy...... Resign and don't burden your 'conscience'. But then, that would be asking too much, right!

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Joe FL

Jan 09, 2015 05:56am

How to be a politician: 1. Have a conscience. 2. Ignore it when voting. 3. Cry. It's time to exchange that model for a better one.

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