113
Former president Asif Ali Zardari, while addressing a public gathering in Mardan on Monday, discounted the notion that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan could serve as a leader for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's youth.
"He [Khan] calls himself a leader of the youth. How can he be a leader of the youth? He is older than me. Bilawal is the leader for the young people," he said, referring to his son and PPP chairman.
The PPP has, following the Supreme Court's Panamagate verdict, launched a countrywide movement to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Following the announcement of the verdict, Khan and Zardari have locked horns, with the PTI chief rallying for support in Sindh, saying he has set his sights on the PPP leader.
"Asif Zardari, I am coming after you," the PTI chairman told supporters in Sindh, alleging that the former president had "ruled over Sindh using the politics of fear".
"He has property everywhere. Is he really sympathetic to your suffering?" Imran said, attempting to cast doubt over Zardari's loyalties to the people of Sindh.
In response, the PPP leader today rallied in the PTI-ruled province of KP and dismissed the notion that Khan was a true Pathan.
"A captain has come ... He thinks he is a Pakhtun. He writes Khan after his name. No one knows him here," he told the crowd in Mardan.
"He calls himself a Pathan, but for that, you need to be able to speak Pashto," he added.
"Till today no one has thought about giving the Pakhtuns an identity," the PPP-Parliamentarians president said, adding that he and his party members had "done everything" for them.
Turning to the dissenting notes of two senior judges in the Panamagate verdict, Zardari said even the judiciary "have told Mian sahab 'Go Nawaz, go'."
The PPP-Parliamentarians president, while addressing a press conference after the announcement of the Panamagate verdict last week, had slammed the PTI chief for not joining hands with the PPP in the case.
"Imran Khan, we told you to join us and form legislation and then take it to the court," he said. "But he [Khan] does not listen. He has never been to jail, he does not know how judges work, how justice works."
"We believe that if Pakistan is not safe in the hands of Nawaz Sharif, it is also not safe in the hands of Imran Khan," the former president, whose own party is gunning for a victory in the next election, had said.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (113) Closed
Apr 24, 2017 05:33pm
What a joke? You need someone with maturity to guide the youth of the nation Mr. Zardari.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 05:35pm
I will be a fool to fall for what he is saying.I wonder people who gather in their jalsas are not honest towards Pakistan and their future.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 05:35pm
The mere fact that Imran Khan does not stand behind bullet proof enclosures differentiates a man of people
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 05:38pm
@Faraz agree you need maturity and thats not IK at all....
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 05:44pm
My younger brother is 14. He is much younger than bilawal so he is the true leader of youth actually!
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 05:50pm
@Bilal khan: yes if age matters, then real leader of youth is one who is born in today's date 24-04-2017
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 05:51pm
If Bilawal is the leader of the young...we are all doomed.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 05:53pm
@mustafa the youth turn out at IKs gatherings speaks for itself. Your argument is invalid.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 05:53pm
Beware Mr. Zardari; after Nawaz he is after you now....
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 05:56pm
By instigating Pashtuns against what he calls injustice to KPK in CPEC, Zardari has started his effort on his threat to brick-bat the country from North to South.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 05:56pm
A leader that cares about youth issues represents them. Age has nothing to do with it. Bernie Sanders is an example
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:03pm
Imran Khan is much better leader and it's leadership will be better for pakistan inshallah, than we have seen in pakistan with the commited corrupt criminal political parties
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:04pm
@Kamran Imran Khan is much better leader and it's leadership will be better for pakistan inshallah, than we have seen in pakistan with the commited corrupt political parties
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:07pm
Pathetic PPP n PMLN. All family politics. They have destroyed this country n left nation begging to western world. Hope these parties vanish forever.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:09pm
This pious gentleman has taken my fancy once again speaking wisdom that only has a following in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:15pm
What a comment, where are youngsters following you appointee?
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:17pm
When will PPP realise that they are irrelevant outside sindh and AJK as long as Zardari is their chairman?
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:22pm
He clearly doesn't understand it's not your age its what you can do and give the youth. Youth looks up to IK. They look down on you and your son. incidentally he doesn't look younger than IK.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:22pm
@JKhan well said
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:27pm
With increasing awareness through education and media youth can decide between right and wrong. PPP has failed to perform.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:29pm
Imran IS the leader of the youth - not only of KP but of the whole country.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:30pm
Zardari you mean Bilawal should lead the Pakistani youth!?!?
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:31pm
Notice Zardari addresses great Public gathering - from behind a thick Bullet Proof glass!
He might as well stay in London, if he is so afraid of the public in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:33pm
@Mustafa - What exact "maturity" are you looking for in Imran Khan other than corruption?
Khan's government is not exactly a disaster in KPK - far from it - compared to the previous lot. KPK is the only province where something visibly is being done on human development that no other leader even talks about.
PTI has a demonstrated track record in KPK about education, healthcare, environment, law enforcement and anti-corruption. It could have been better but in which other province governance is any better? So, what else Khan needs proving?
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:34pm
And what exactly has Bilawal done for the youth of Pakistan - when he spends 11 months out of year in Dubai, London or traveling outside the country??
Don't make us laugh any further. We already know what a joke PPP is.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:35pm
I agree. Imran Khan should be a leader of youth as well as everyone else. We all grew up learning about your youth, which is nothing to be proud of.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:35pm
Immaturity at its peak !
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:40pm
I would love to know what future visionary plans Bilalwal has for our youth. I want actually information from him , not his farther from him ?as to how he will improve the life of the youth ?
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:41pm
Bilawal is a leader for the young people," he said, referring to his son and PPP chairman. Mr. Zardari are you serious. You are talking about that stuff toy you carrying around. What are his achievements, what he has done for this nation. Only thing he is grandson of Z.A. Bhutto and son of Benazir and he is trying to sell that. Bhutto and Benazir are history, he has to prove himself first and than ask for vote. These politicians have taken Pakistan as their kingdom and think that it their right to rule on the people of Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:41pm
@mustafa that is IK at all you must see all these circumstances
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:45pm
You don't need to rule in kpk, ppp has already destryed sindh,we don't want a leader like you .people are starving to death in your province despite of your party ruling from many years.what about your son he can't speak sindhi and Urdu .
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:48pm
Both NS and Zardari are trying to promote this children as future leaders of Pakistan. Though neither Bilawal nor Maryaam have ever held any job, run any successful business or been elected to public office to prove their mantel. It is all nepotism at its worst.
IK had already had a successful career, earned his money and is serving the public in KPK and proving his zeal by fighting corruption and exposing the incompetence of the other two main parties.
If Zardari wants to talk about leadership, than what did he himself do for people of Pakistan as spouuse of Benazir or as President of Pakistan, when had the opportunity to prove himself?
Talk is cheap. Cheap talk from hypocrites is simply pathetic.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:49pm
How can Bilawal be the leader of youth who educated and lived in foreign country...
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:49pm
@Shak -YOU ARE WELCOME.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:50pm
Going to jail is not a qualification to be a leader, Mr. Zardari. Most of the people who go to jail are thieves
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:51pm
Respect is commanded...not demanded...so is leadership...Mr. Zardari.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:55pm
Amassing and having ill gotten wealth and having respect and leadership are hugely different...
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:56pm
introduction of new joke
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:57pm
Pak people deserve leaders like Zardari & Nawaz Sharif.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:58pm
Imran Khan is 100% more educated, sofestiated, intelligent and honest than Zardari.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 06:59pm
age is not the criteria to be the leader of the youth Mr Z. Its the leadership, wisdom, ethics, morality, honestly and ability to be among your people without fear that dictates that.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:00pm
You and your son Bilawal still on the bandwagon and coattail of the name ,"Bhutto'. You became president, ruled the country for 5 years, did nothing except setting up sugar mills for your family but nothing for the people of your home province of Sindh,what miracle you are going to perform for KPK ? PPP which was a dominant party of Pakistan under ZAB and BB has shrunk to a party of rural Sindh under your supervision. Now you are trying to revive PPP by silly, empty slogans.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:00pm
Imran is better than any of you. The people of Pakistan or feed up of.zardari and noon party why should people trust you again all you do is lie to the people you broth have let the people and Pakistan down you both need to go
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:03pm
What was PPP and Zardari role during the past one year in Panama scandal? When the time for election is approaching, he is just showing dissent from Nawaz, while the people real faces of both Zardari and Nawaz.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:05pm
Mr. Zardari you can only win in Sindh because you do politics on dead people. People of Sindh are simple and they still love ZA Bhutto. You yourself has no standing or credibility.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:06pm
Age is just a number.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:17pm
Mr. Zardari ... Z. A. Bhutto was leader of the youth and so is Imran Khan. You and Nawaz Sharif need to learn a lot about what makes a leader and what exactly is leadership. Please don't try to force your young and clueless children on Pakistani people. Thanks.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:18pm
This shows the general level of know how of Mr. Zardari. In the US, Bernie Sanders, who is older than Trump and Hillary is immensely popular among the youth and that is because of his ideas, vision for the country and his honesty. IK is popular among the youth for the same reason.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:20pm
As per you formula, your son can't speak sindhi.will he be sindhi?
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:20pm
Age is not the factor to determine who the leader of the youth is today. Any leader who can bring prosperity to the nation, provide opportunisties for good education and channel the youth towards progress is the leader of the YOUTH...period!
And why only youth?.....a good leader should be a leader of the older generation too. A 20 yr old kid who sits in air conditioned rooms in Dubai while his own people die in Thar is definitely not doing anything for his nation.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:24pm
Imran Khan is not joining hands with Mr Zardari to protest and force PM to step down while JIT carries out its task. And precisely that is where the shoe is pinching Mr Zardari's foot. God bless Imran Khan. He seems to be the last hope at this juncture of Pakistan's history.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:26pm
@Bilal khan: By that analogy, Bilawal is your much younger brother!
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:29pm
@Harmony-1© : KPK is far far ahead of all other provinces in suppressing the rights of women. Almost 70% of KPK women cannot even think about using their democratic or human rights!
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:30pm
Well he already is. You are dreaming if you want to share the next government with Pti
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:32pm
@Kamran they only come for the free food on offer after the rallies...
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:34pm
@mustafa, you think the two, corrupt party chiefs are mature. It is better to have an honest leader than to have corrupt (so called matured) politicians ruling the country. By the way what is your yard stick of measuring maturity.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:36pm
@Harmony-1© Really? Give me some number Einstein. Literacy Rate: 2013 Vs 2017. Per Capita Income 2013 Vs 2017. Number of hospitals per capita 2013 vs 2017. Number of people who should be working vs number of people who are employed 2013 vs 2017. like your leader you can only make vague, unsubstantiated, good for nothing empty rhetoric.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:38pm
Pakistan needs an honest leader who can navigate the country towards corruption free society. Regretfully the two big & tested parties cannot offer this leadership. They are all worried about their future when Imran Khan comes to power. Imran Khan's popularity & courage can be judged from the fact that IK don't need a bullet proof glass screen while addressing the masses.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:41pm
Mr.Zardari first return the looted national wealth of the Last one decade at least. PPP is Not a real opposition. PMLN and PPP are two sides of the same Coin. Only PTI And IK are the real opposition fighting against corruption and injustice to make Pakistan a better place for us.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:41pm
Youth need a leader with genuine ideology, vision and love for people and country like Imran Khan, Your and PMLN time is over, go home PPP.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:47pm
@mustafa You definition of mature is corruption and fooling around with people of country, and get your illitrates on top of every state institutions to protect yourself and your allies so you don't get caught. Thats a shame Mustafa, you should get educated and learn what is maturity. You are not mature yet.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:48pm
@Ghaznavi I agree. A leader needs to have maturity and vision. I, also, consider Bernie Sanders a true leader. I wish Pakistan could produce a leader of integrity, maturity and vision who could come close to Bernie Sanders. Bilawal Bhutto certainly is not the one.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:53pm
@observer: Imran Khan seems to be the last hope at this juncture of Pakistan's history, provided he gets rid of the Sheikh Rashid
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:54pm
Its not the age that makes you the leader of the youth but the respect that you command. Imran has always been the leader of youth and all the other age groups.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:55pm
Its about time that looters should exit political scene of Pakistan. Enough is enough
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 07:57pm
"He has never been to jail, he does not know how judges work, how justice works."
ookay then.
Try finding a government position in West if you have a criminal record. Zardari makes it sound like a job requirement.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:09pm
This fellow may be thinking if he might be investigated next after panamagate.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:09pm
@KB :) Amen
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:09pm
But Imran Khan will prove to be a much better PM than Asif Zardari already tested
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:15pm
What a joke Mr. Zardari. Look what your party PPP has done in the past, where have you, your wife Benezair have taken, same goes with Nawaz Sharif. Pakistan for the last 60 some years have been pushed back by the politicians, specially PPP & PML. The people of Pakistan need some robust leaders who can now take Pakistan in the positive directions. What Bilawal can do, nothing, he has no sense of any understanding how politics work, either he is running under your skin or someone in your family. For God sake, don't think that your son can lead the people of Pakistan, and this great country upward. My advice to you is get out of politics, and sit back at your home and relax, and see how Pakistan will prosper and grow. Inshallah.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:18pm
Time for PPP and specially Zardari to feel the heat of PTI and IK now.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:19pm
Too late PTI already stole PPP voters in 2013.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:26pm
There were cases against former President AAZ and nothing comes out so far.Imran Khan is opposing AAZ,and not prepared to jointly move against Mian Nawaz Sharif, OK both may move separately as they wish. But people still prefer NS, as they believe NS is not corrupt, the only fault of NS, he got so much involved after exiled,and stay abroad,he remained unattentive to his wealth,and incautious too, otherwise we all know he was a rich from a long time,and last but not least the advisors,the lawyers failed to defend him properly at SC.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:28pm
Imran Khan cannot be a leader of the youth: Zardari. Why not? Because only Bilawal can? The youth in America did not elect Donald Trump. That is for sure. It is a silly argument. Zardari was never the leader of any youth movements.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:32pm
@Faraz of course now IK is turning 65 and by the time next elections are held , he will be mutured enough as a 70 years old youth leader.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:33pm
You are comparing Bilawal, who has never worked for a day in his life to Imran Khan?.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:36pm
Imran Khan is turning 65 in a few month this is the reason he represents the youth of the nation. He lives in a huge mansion and always drove expensive German cars, this is the reason he represents the poorest of the nation. He was always known as a playboy in the world , now he has Jamat e Islami as a partner. Wow what a majestic personality.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:37pm
If Zardari and the PPP had done everything for the Pathans and Pashtuns why would they have rallied behind Altaf Hussain and MQM in Karachi? It was Nawaz Sharif who brought Chinese contracts to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. What do the youth in Sindh have to say about how much opportunity they have been given?
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:45pm
Zardari Sahib your son Bilawal Zardari can't be creditable leaders of Pakistan because of your past and present corruption activities.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 08:47pm
PPP is no longer a national party so stick with Sindhi voters. Your last ticket to corruption
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 09:01pm
Nor is this man with his over 60 state visits to every event many of which were the job of the Prime Minister, while in office.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 09:10pm
Imran Khan is the leader of the youth, and Zardari cannot do a thing about it.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 09:12pm
Bilawal leader of the youth of Pakistan, seriously? The Pakistani youth are way mature and sincere to their motherland than Bilawal and they do not need him as his leader.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 09:18pm
Zardari and Nawaz Sharif have nothing to say against Imran Khan except making personal attacks.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 09:21pm
@IR then how come all of your guys are on the street?
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 09:23pm
@Muneer agreed!
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 09:29pm
Bilawal is the leader of the youth? And what can the youth learn from Bilawal? He has been given everything, he hardly spends time in Pakistan, unless he has a jalsa. In reality, Bilawal has no clue to the sufferings of people, the struggles, not have electricity, gas, drinking water, barley have a roof over their head. Does Bilawal know any of it? Honest and respectful question.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 09:34pm
Mr zardari you were behind bars on corruption you were never a political prisoner
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 09:35pm
Zardari is insulting our intelligence!!
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 09:51pm
sirji, he was,he is and he will be an youth icon in the subcontinent. Imran khan could atleast got a world cup for your nation. Tell the world what you have given for your nation.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 10:53pm
@Miqbal rangoonwala Actually, all of them are corrupt.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2017 11:39pm
@Siva, Our politicians insult our intelligence every 4 years, but we are responsible for where we are today, not the politicians, we keep falling for the same ol same ol, and expect different results. We get what we vote for.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 12:15am
Mr zardari Sir,what about ppl of Hazara who can't speak writ e understand pashto, don't u think a vast majority of 12millons hindko r hurt??Imran khan can't speak understand pashto then what could b done ,as mohajir of Karachi can't b s
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 12:19am
Too late he already is and thank heaven for that
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 01:07am
Since IK is free of any corruption scandal so Zardari had nothing to say against IK but just nonsense, as always. Just went to KPK because IK has successful trip in Sindh.
This was rubbish idea of Zardari if he thinks he can make public fool by claiming that some one is inferior by language ,color or cast.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 01:38am
Leadership is earned, not given.
Imran Khan has earned it.
It is as simple as that.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 02:45am
just here for the comments. Hilarious :)
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 02:59am
My grandson is 4.
Surely he is the true leader of the youth of Pakistan
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 03:09am
Don't underestimate him and dont overestimate voters of Pakistan when it comes to maturity.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 03:34am
Sorry to say but Zardari sahb is putting forward a wrong discourse on PTI
He should come up with other criticism. PTI is a political reality with massive support base largely with youth.
PPP and Sharif led politics either do not live in present time or do not understand the underlying currents of political discourse in country. Both are old order. not wanted. not in demand in market.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 03:47am
Imran Khan is Pashtun by blood.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 04:11am
For god sake only youth leader is bilawal hamza or Maryam
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 05:02am
He is Back
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 07:34am
@Yasir Don't live on hope my friend, next time go out and work against these corrupt people.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 07:47am
This is seriously funny by Mr. Zardari !
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 07:55am
They're not actually that out of touch. They're really just trying to fake it to make it.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 08:06am
Pakistan's youth has seen enough. It's patriotism that counts, not age or ethnicity.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 08:29am
Zardari is agraid. Imran went after his brother in corruption and wants to take revenge. Instead of going to Punjab ans going after Nawaz, he decided to go after Imran and do empty speeches in KPK. One can easily see who is standing with corruption and who is fighting against it.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 08:54am
One does not need to speak or know Pushto to prove he/she is Pathan. Its a matter of where you grow and what language you spoke at home and with friends.
And not every Pushto speaking person is Pathan either.
Mr. Zardari, just focus on making more money as you are good at that.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 10:05am
It is evident from Mr Zardari's statement that PPP sees PTI a huge risk. Beside the political choices Pakistani youth; A) join PPP or PML and follow the leadership of two particular clans whole their lives, basically a political slavery, B) join a political party which allows nourishment at grass roots level and creates leaders for future from within the nation (not a birth right). I would always take option B.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 10:15am
The PPPP PMLN mafia has no solution for the suffering of my countrymen.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 01:58pm
@Hamza 100% agree, these political pundits just looking after their own next generations.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2017 02:18pm
What a pity my fellow Pakistanis, now zardari will come and give lecture against corruption and good governance. Slamming Imran Khan, he admitted that imran khan is a clean and honest person, as he has never been to jail. He doesnt need to know the type of justice you know mr. zardari.
Recommend
0
