Zardari says will return to Pakistan within next few weeks

E-Paper | June 17, 2026

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari in an interview denied being in 'exile' and said he would return to Pakistan within the next few weeks, Geo reported.

Speaking to journalist Hamid Mir during Geo News' 'Capital Talk', the PPP leader who has divided his time between London and Dubai since June 2015, said he would return to the country soon, Geo reported. The interview will air on Monday at 8:05pm.

The PPP leader abruptly left the country last year after a hard-hitting speech where he lashed out at the military establishment for overstepping its domain.

The former president had said that army chiefs come and go every three years, but the political leadership is here to stay.

PPP Senator Saeed Ghani also confirmed the possibility of former president Zardari's return.

Speaking to DawnNews, Ghani said, "Citing the current political scenario, Asif Zardari deemed it fit to repatriate and he will come to Pakistan in December."

Referring to past events, Ghani said Zardari would travel abroad at will and return whenever he desired.

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kanwarch

Nov 21, 2016 12:16pm

Time will tell.

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Red Dawn

Nov 21, 2016 12:23pm

Please dont. Thank you.

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Zab

Nov 21, 2016 12:33pm

Zardari was right when he said you are for 3 years and we are pemanent. Those 3 years are over and he is preparing to rerun. Once again Zardari has won.

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Naveed

Nov 21, 2016 12:47pm

Oh really!? Wow, than all will be good, peace will reign the realm, poverty and illiteracy will be history and corruption will be forgotten, as soon as the Oracle descends on Pakistan!

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kamal Pasha

Nov 21, 2016 01:00pm

Ofcourse he will return as the next elections are not far.

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kanwarch

Nov 21, 2016 01:13pm

@Zab time will tell.

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Changez Khan

Nov 21, 2016 01:13pm

Really?

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Muhammad Arshad

Nov 21, 2016 01:31pm

Well there very nice hill stations and vacation spots in Pakistan

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Khan

Nov 21, 2016 01:54pm

NAB must audit the sources of his expenditure while in self exile

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Nov 21, 2016 01:54pm

Both political brothers Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari will be united once again. May God have mercy on Pakistan.

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Nov 21, 2016 02:01pm

Please Zardari, Pakistan don't need you. You already destroyed it much more than anyone else. Do country a favour and stay away for rest of you life.

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Ind

Nov 21, 2016 02:04pm

Is it your turn, now. God save Pakistan and its poor people.

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Khan

Nov 21, 2016 02:09pm

Guess just waiting to see turn around in politics. Has fear that coming now could also put him in line of corruption. The people are not stupid to believe in excuse of delay due to medical reasons

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Kamil

Nov 21, 2016 02:10pm

OMG . Please stay back we don't need you . For god sake don't even think. Pakistan is so much better without you and your family .

Recommend 0

Nov 21, 2016 02:10pm

According to NRO, now it is the turn of Zardari league. Political brother Nawaz & Zardari are viceroys of Pakistan.

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Khwarezmi

Nov 21, 2016 02:25pm

Please, leave us alone. We don't need self serving buisness-politicians. We already have enough of those.

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Ebrahim

Nov 21, 2016 02:31pm

After COAS retires.

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Asif

Nov 21, 2016 02:35pm

Why? Is there anything left to take away?

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Harmony-1©

Nov 21, 2016 02:51pm

@Zab - What do you mean "we are pemanent"? We are all mortal souls. That was a shameful claim.

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Pindi_Kulfi

Nov 21, 2016 02:57pm

Please stay there. We've had enough from PPP already.

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nadeem

Nov 21, 2016 03:00pm

What if Gen. Raheel doesn't retire!

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Abdul Rahman Khan

Nov 21, 2016 03:02pm

Yes, he will come back only when Raheel Sharif completes his term.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Nov 21, 2016 03:07pm

In the interest of the land and people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, please stay put where you are right now.

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Ahmed bin Babar

Nov 21, 2016 03:10pm

Pakistan is better off without such faces...

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Irshad

Nov 21, 2016 03:16pm

Mr. Zaradri must return. He was right when he criticized establishment for misdeeds. He is a veteran politician our country needs. I remember when he was regularly attending hearings of cases in courts. He is Pakistani and deserves to be present in Pakistan. The critics must understand that Sharifs and Khans are not sacred cows they must also dare to challenge status quo.

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Sami Ullah Swati

Nov 21, 2016 03:17pm

Welcome back Mr 10%. Are you expecting a bigger share now!

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Skeptic

Nov 21, 2016 03:43pm

This means the budget deficit and foreign debt is still not big enough. There's money to be made...Sharifs and Zardari are taking turns to completely empty the public coffers.

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sultan ahmed

Nov 21, 2016 04:22pm

Not understandable,what kind of politics underway in Pakistan well known personalities and figures ,coming and going. General Raheel sharif is going after completing his army services,and on the other hand,Former president Asif Ali Zardari coming after some time passing in exile,

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khan saheb

Nov 21, 2016 04:26pm

@nadeem Zardari will stay in Dubai till RS retires

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Merchant

Nov 21, 2016 04:36pm

God save Pakistan and Pakistanis!!

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SAB

Nov 21, 2016 04:41pm

Raheel Sharif retires, Zardari returns

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khanm

Nov 21, 2016 04:42pm

would it make any difference...where he lives...every one lives for himself the beauty is if you live for others...

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Badar janjua

Nov 21, 2016 05:34pm

he has won,system and state has failed. He will come only to prove his claim. "You come for three years we stay permanent. " I must say this nation has no self esteem. Whoever comes use them,exploit them and public say again "Bhutto zinda hay" Ohh Jahillo get sensible now.

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Love Your Country

Nov 21, 2016 05:57pm

Bilawal's time is up then.

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khanm

Nov 21, 2016 06:02pm

@Love Your Country our time is up theirs time never stops

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M.Saeed

Nov 21, 2016 06:20pm

That means all cases against his party have been dropped!

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Zealot

Nov 21, 2016 06:26pm

Nation too will not forget you zardari. Wether NRO,KERRY LUGAL BILL,Memo scandal,Salala Check post incident,Bigoted extremism,Peaked terrorism,Absolute corruption,Enhanced load shedding,AIDS And then lies,compromises.TUQ DHARNAs....and list goeson

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Muhammed Ali UK

Nov 21, 2016 06:31pm

No chance...

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Zealot

Nov 21, 2016 06:35pm

This is how he ran country and ran away from country

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Shariq Ghaznavi Mahmood

Nov 21, 2016 07:07pm

By that time the incumbent COAS would have retired. But then there would b another !!

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Laeeq,NY

Nov 21, 2016 07:16pm

He was waiting for General Raheel's retirement!

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Alba

Nov 21, 2016 07:28pm

Not in exile? He is a incompetent

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Alba

Nov 21, 2016 07:30pm

@Zab .... Permanently ineffective. Hope he has more luck with Trump than he did with Obama. Trump will see right through that opportunist like a pane of glass.

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F Khan

Nov 21, 2016 08:21pm

Winter coming in NY,London and France.It's time to enjoy pleasant winter in Pakistan.

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Shakil Khan

Nov 21, 2016 08:24pm

If he thinks only a change of command in Army will somehow make him acceptable, he could be in for a surprise!

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meera jee

Nov 21, 2016 08:27pm

Because Raheel Sharif leaving- he is coming now.

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zahiduddin

Nov 21, 2016 08:40pm

I think we should welcome Mr. Zardari. PPP needs him more than anyone else. He will make a difference.

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Patriot

Nov 21, 2016 08:40pm

He chose his timing!! But the nation will not forget your corruption.

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anony

Nov 21, 2016 08:43pm

Zardari, please don't back to Pakistan. We have your friend Nawaz Sharif to deal with, which is enough for us.

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Wondering

Nov 21, 2016 08:49pm

Welcome back magesian Sardari sahib. For you appearing and disappearing is more than majic. Wish nation could utilize your skills for the growth and development of Pakistan.

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mOhammed

Nov 21, 2016 08:54pm

what difference will it make if you come or not. Better keep out we have one less to bother.

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malik

Nov 21, 2016 09:03pm

He should walk, his talk.

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Ahsan

Nov 21, 2016 09:26pm

You should have continued enjoying life in Dubai and London. What is here for you to do in Pakistan!

Recommend 0

Nov 21, 2016 09:28pm

Why do ex-leaders of Pakistan choose not to live in their country after they are no longer the reigning leaders?

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Agatha christie

Nov 21, 2016 09:30pm

Welcome back, former President Zardari, please come and see what you left have further deteriorated, this time come with utter resolve and promises to serve Pakistan with better spirit, and create a change,that people find another Abdul Sattar Edhi in shape of Asif Ali Zardari,you have funds and resources,begin with Karachi ,change Karachi like London,neat clean city with every facility, later go upward to Hyderabad,Nawab Shah,Larkana,and let people feel better experiencing something better is happening to their places,after completing Sindh ,you proceed to Punjab onwards,but please do it,people are not happy at all with PM Nawaz Sharif who is not delivering , you can fill the vacuum,by good deeds, not by sermons of democracy,people today in Pakistan needs good governance, and wish to see real developments at low costs.If you prefer to serve, please come ,or if otherwise you will face a massive oppositions, and protests,rallies, that may force you once again to reside in Dubai.

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annoyed

Nov 21, 2016 10:12pm

Why do u have to return. What good have u done for this nation

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syed wasim haider

Nov 21, 2016 10:50pm

@nadeem For sure he will not come.

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taha

Nov 22, 2016 07:37am

Return - but feed people in Thar for a change.

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Gerry D'Cunha

Nov 22, 2016 01:45pm

Was Zardari in exile?

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