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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party leader and former president Asif Ali Zardari has condemned initiation of terrorism cases against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz workers in Punjab, saying every citizen has the democratic right to hold rallies and public meetings.
“Political activists are the strength of democracy and democratic process,” Mr Zardari said in a statement issued by his party’s Central Media Office on Sunday.
The former president also expressed concerns over curbs on freedom of expression, saying his party would not tolerate such steps. He boasted that there was no political prisoner during the five years of the PPP government, from 2008 to 2013.
The top PPP leader issued the statement a day after it was reported that PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif, his son Hamza Shahbaz, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and 50 other leaders of the party had been booked under terrorism and other charges for “inciting” the crowd to violate law in Lahore on Friday at the time of arrival of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz from London.
PML-N spokesperson Marriyam Aurangzeb, former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq and senior leader Javed Hashmi are among those booked.
PPP spokesman says only one party being allowed to run campaign smoothly
The FIR lodged with the Lohari police station accuses Shahbaz and former MNA Hamza of pelting the law enforcement agencies officials with stones allegedly with an intention to kill them. The main allegations against the PML-N leaders include damaging public buildings and properties, hurling threats and injuring the law enforcement agencies officials. They have also been accused of interfering in the official work, violating Section 144 of the PPC and the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the candidates, besides holding illegal assemblies and rallies.
According to Lahore police, a total of 12 FIRs have been lodged against the suspects, including the former prime minister and former Punjab chief minister.
Mr Zardari said it was the responsibility of the ECP to provide a conducive environment to all the political parties participating in the elections.
Without naming Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, who passed some objectionable remarks against the PML-N workers and leaders, Mr Zardari said that “bullet and bad-mouthing are the enemies of democracy”.
“One should not resort to foul language in politics. The people who are always bad-mouthing others cannot serve the nation,” he said.
The former president said that despite security concerns, PPP chairman and his son Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari could not be kept away from the people.
Condemning firing on rally of a PPP candidate in Dadu, he asked the Sindh government to immediately arrest the culprits.
In a separate statement, PPP spokesman Senator Moula Bakhsh Chandio criticised the caretaker government and the ECP for not taking adequate measures to provide security to election candidates in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the country.
He said it was surprising that instead of providing security the caretaker government was asking the parties under threat to stop their election campaigns. “Those who are being attacked by the terrorists are being asked to stop campaigning,” the senator said, adding: “When terrorists issue us threats, the government asks us to stay indoors.”
“The caretaker governments must tell the nation, who is to decide about the elections? People of Pakistan or the terrorists?” he asked.
Without naming the PTI, Mr Chandio alleged that only one party was being allowed to run its election campaign smoothly. The other politicians were being warned against possibility of terrorist attacks.
“How it is possible that a political leader has the permission to hold public meetings wherever he wants and others are stopped? There is some nexus. It is the duty of the ECP and the caretaker government to find out this nexus,” said the senator in an apparent reference to the claim of the PPP and the PML-N that the PTI was being supported by the establishment.
Mr Chandio said if the ECP remained silent over the situation then questions would be raised about election results. He, however, said the PPP would continue its election campaign despite all the negative tactics.
Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2018
Comments (109) Closed
What is wrong in this when they have done the same to their opponents when they were in power.... Logical thinking
Where was Mr. Zardari's tongue when 400 protesters in Lyari were booked as terrorists because some of them pelted stones on his son Bilawal??????? Are voters not allowed to protest only politicians?
demonstrate? yes. complain? Yes.
attack or uncite to violence? Absolutely NOT.
MQM and PPP leadership should be tried.
Now they are coming out of the closet.Zardari and Nawaz are twin corrupt brothers.
government should take out all money which he looted and put him behind the bars for life.
Imran khan was charged with terrirism in 2014. why did not you raise the voice that time.
the ECP Should provide level field to every party
Put Zardari and Nawaz in the same cell. They need to figure out we double crossed whom.
Terrorism charges on political activists before the election, this can only happen in Pakistan. Please focus on Mastung incident terrorists!
Looks who is talking :)
He should also be booked for money laundering and plundering of national wealth.
So mr Zardari you are going to pay all the damages done by this rally. Do you have little support for country and economy? After all the damages done then political contractors will come to make money again from corruption. Just think about country and it’s viability
PPP and PML-N have been and always will be the two faces of the same coin. They have the same agenda and they will continue to have the same agenda. And the agenda is wheeling and dealing to share power so they can loot and plunder more. The only disagreement sometimes they have would be about who gets the better share of the loot. Both keep beating the drum of democracy while they are the ones who violate the basic principles of democracy.
Dear AAZ: why you have not spoken when MQM was restricted similarly. Why MQM is not allowed to hold rallies??
All these years, Pakistan had no credible opposition. Now the opposition is also nervous about getting caught with its hand in the cookie jar.... Ppp pmln are two sides of the same coin.
No, you are absolutely wrong! During your rule, there were preparations fully made by Abdul Rehman Malik, then by your Interior Secretary to land Musharraf to a Karachi jail upon his return. Please refresh your memory!
Why is the interim Govt making tamasha of itself by nonsense actions?
Same old lines and same old partners in crime.
He didnt speak out when terrorism case were initiated against MQM members for protesting and using loud speakers or listening to MQM lFounder.
COD ( Charter of Democracy) reactivated. Recently the noose got tighten against some PPP stalwarts, Zardari being included, that may be the plausible reason that Mr Zardari is criticizing the Care Taker Govt. On the contrary the CT Govt is doing a wonderful job, and successful controlled any spillover situation which may arise out of incitement to antisocial elements ( like Guloo Butts) by non- other but Shahbaz Sharif, Khaqan Abassi, & Others nominated in FIRs. We all know the fake account cases and remittances abroad will be probe after elections, and Mr Zardari is one of the Respondents. Hence to drive some political advantage he in spur of moment find the spirit of much forgotten COD to defend PPP plus PML(N), but today people are much aware, the media too active , and last but not least the investigation agencies and police free from political pressures under CT Govt, the rule of law will not compromise, even if sky falls. No NRO , nothing like that. A BIG NO.
I knew you would say that. After all PML (N) and PPP have been birds of a feather.
Please do not panic. Elections are still many hours away.
Zardarti is next to go in jail.
thanks
Well said...
I completely agree with this statement. Democracy has been made a joke.
The corrupt will join hands now, not surprised actually. Let's be honest, they're paying millions of rupees to run advertisements on various channels, how can they say they're not being allowed to campaign? Also, people are confronting candidates of pmln and ppp as they've done nothing for the common man's basic issues. If you're seeing it difficult to win and difficult to rigg elections, you're now making noise. Bemusing!
Asif has a personal interest. His own freedom from prison walls.
At least someone has courage.
he is losing very fast.
Partners in crime
I wonder how come terrrorism cases be foisted against the PML N workers for protesting. Protests are basic rights of any person. If at all there were troubles due to protests, then there will be so many other sections for taking actions and choosing terrorism cases is a pure political vendetta. I think the caretakers are representing only the Army and the establishment. Very bad. If politicians do not protest these kind of illegal acts, then there wont be any democracy at all in pakistan. Imran Khan should not think that such terrorism cases against the PMLN workers are good for him. THe table may turn and even he may be foisted with such cases in future. Politicians should not see any short term political gains but should voice against illegal acts.
In the name of democracy, I've bought properties worth billions, and most of it is not even on my name. Because I'm clever
This man Zardari and family with his kids now have destroyed my Sindh. My Pakistani family I'm Sindhi, this is the reality of our Sindhi life in Pakistan under these goons. Bilawal Zardari got pelted by stones in Lyari and corrupt police in Lyari charged the youth with Anti Terror cases and locked them up, physically assaulted them. Did we just forget our brother Naqeebullah Mehsud killed by the goons of Zardari? Come to Sindh I assure it will put any sane person under depression when you see the suffering of humanity in Sindh. Most people have been kept poor, under threat of corrupt mafia and extra judicial killing that they don't even thinking about voting for other parties, there are people in interior Sindh who don't even know how to keep personal hygiene I go and volunteer with local ngo's to help them translate. Zardari and now his kids are beyond just corrupt they are Criminals who need to be locked up behind bars.
GDA in Sindh's alliance with PTI is a ray of hope.
He woke up finally. Z realizes that at this rate - his party will be the next target. However it is too little too late.
true democratic... PPP
Mr. Zardari absultely right that PML- N workers are being booked for terrorism while holding peaceful rallies. So where is the ECP and the chief justice?
Why even waste money on elections?
Why did you not raise the objection,when Terrorism charges were framed against Imran Khan , others PTI leaders, Tahir ul Qadri and PAT leaders during Dharna / PAT protests ?. Lack of public response in election campaign,minimal chances of favourable rigging and fear of losing elections / power are the real reasons of Zardari / PPP noisemakers.
Birds of feather, flock together. One supports the other.
We pray PTI wins.
Very brave and courageous statement by Zardari. Such statements from PPP shows maturity and believing in democratic norms. Thank you for standing by Democracy
He sees his future too. Else why such a sympathy!!
Sympathy votes of the PML-N supporters have another option after the change of heart of the PPP -Z chief to raise voice in their favor.
No one takes him seriously. An empty vessel noises much. PPP was a party of Bhuttos, which enjoyed vast public sympathy and support during the reign of Bhuttos, and after they are gone, it has been hijacked by Zardari in the name of Bhutto just to loot the national wealth. If the accountability starts from 1988 or beyond, Mr. Zardari will have no roof to hide.
Sooner or later Shahbaz will be roped in due to 14 murders in Model town. Will be interesting to hear his defence.
Zardari has been advocating Pmln and nawaz for five years now. He better start campaigning for PPP, there's only a week left before it ends. His decesion, not to oppose and criticise Pmln, has already evaporated PPP in punjab. If zardari does't retrace his foot-steps, NS should offer him the Pmln presidency as a token of his love for Pmln. Last five years are the "first five years" of its history that PPP has generated disconnect with the masses.
Look who is talking.
Terrorism charges for participating in a rally?!
SELECTIONS 2018!!!!!
Respected political leaders, caretaker govt. is for small time. What did you do during your stint of time in power? Did you alleviate power crisis? Did you eliminate the menace of terrorism? You did not do anything other than filling your pockets in five years, so why are you expecting that a caretaker govt. with limited powers deliver what you couldn't in five years?
The so called champions of democracy are responsible for indebting this nation to the tune of more than Rs27 trillions and pocketing this amount in making assets abroad.
Mr Chandio apparently doesn't understand that the one party he is referring to isn't corrupt like the establishment PPP and PLM-N.
Fo not worry Asif Ali, your time will also come very soon. All your billions need to be accounted for.
Your time has come Mr. Zardari. You think you can get away with this by playing on both sides. As soon as your name comes up on ECL you start seeing wrong with the rule of law.
Some guts!!
Finally 'muk muka' has surfaced. Old habits die hard.
Why the people are silent?
Perhaps Mr Zardari would like to educate the nation as to which democracies tolerate assaults on law enforcement officers.
IK is abusing everyone. The current situation of Muslims in Pak is that they fully support this.
Where was he when the FIRs were logged against PTI workers?
If you break the law, you pay the price.
I disagree in many thing with Mr Asif Ali Zardari. But in this case I totally agree with him. In democracy every one is allowed to demonstrate his/her opinion. we cannot allow police to dictate us. Pakistan is not a police state.
Did they have requisite premission to take out rallies on Friday? AAZ the law, ethics and moral reasoning require that precision k is obtained. we understand and know you and your lack of respect for the the law and lack of morals and ethics.
Zardari is the real partner of Nawaz sh
PPP the great symbol of democracy in this country well said Zardari
So now Zardari has soft corner for Nawaz. They are one.
@Ahmed you do not agree that level play field should be expected from caretaker govt ? if zardari or nawaz are corrupted people of Pakistan will never vote for them. just remember Naya Pakistan will never be born through unfair election.
Freedom of speech is not above the law regardless which ever democratic country you live in, including the United Kingdom.
Lets make the water muddy is the idea!
Now that his name is also revealed ,he is finding partners .....
PML N PPP Joint venture Heads I win Tails you lose
Zardari, , citizen have to obey the laws also first.
Zardari and Nawaz are two sides of the one coin.
If level playing field and free fair election are not visible then the situation will be the worst . Caretaker Govt should be aware of every step. They need to work more to deliver free and fair election.
Good statement from Zardari.. PPP is a democratic party
@Anti-Corruption when PTI and PPP join hands to defeat PML-N, it is diplomacy. When PPP slams interim govt’s tyrany against public it is conspiracy! It appears some of us are totally devoid of logical and rational thinking.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day
what did you expect Mr Zardari?? that is what exactly done in a civilized world...if you get violent and force your way ...the state machinery take legal actions. No body is opposed to protest and support for political leaders in a peace full way.
Basically you are trying to plead for a violent routine politiks that favour you and your inefficient party.
@mukmukao united they stand divided they fall.
All predictions of Imran Khan are coming true. He predicted that PPP and PMLN has a hidden friendship and cooperation agenda, these are visible now. Shahbaz Sharif thanking Bilawal for his concern about arrest of PMLN supporters and now Zardari slamming the government concerning PMLN supporters. These two tried and tested parties are two sides of the same coin
The other day Bilawal raised concern about the arrest of PMLN workers welcomed by Shahbaz Sharif. Today Zardari slamming terrorism charges against the PMLN workers. Looks PPP has realized the importance of working together to face Imran Khan's Tsunami.
You are next.
He is next in line for life terms in jail. Will give company to Nawaz for a long time.
mr. Zardari, as long as you will run your party for personal selfish goals PPP will be doomed in the elections. Same is now happening to PML-N
He is affraid that he will be the next member of the club.
I hope PPP doesn't form a majority in Sindh - then only Sindh will improve.
Booking protesters of opponent parties as terrorists is not a good practice
@Tamza PMLN didn't incite to violence or attack any security apparatus
Zaradari a conman. The word “democracy” is amazingly beautiful word. Zaradari and Family and Nawaz and extended family and most of the politicians know how to abuse this word.
Political workers can’t be tried under terrorism bcoz its election season .
Throwing yet another bait to pmln
Both corrupts support each other.
What is this democracy?
First bring democracy within your own party. Let PPP choose their own party leader.
It is time to check if Zardari has assets beyond his income including overseas stashed cash.
@Pro Democracy, Standing by the people of Sindh and Pakistan is more important, PPP has destroyed the Province of Sindh and Pakistan in the name of democracy. If any doubt, please refer to the last time PPP was in power, which won't take long to, they were the last ones to be in power before PML-N. The record will speak for itself. Read it and weep.
Where is Zardari right Now,Dubai?
@Ahmed
Mr. Ahmed,
Time is coming.
@M Mirza
Mr. M Mirza,
Correct.
And valid point.
@Khurram
Mr. Khurram,
Which democracy?
The criminals, culprits and corrupts don't have
elections for office bearers in their own parties
there are only selections.
How come PPP clans escape NAB?
It seems that we are living in the colonial system.
Plan A - form "friendly opposition" so the ruling party looks the other way while you loot your own land.
Plan B - if the law catches up with you, start complaining about conspiracies.
Plan C - if all else fails, start complaining about a back problem that can only be cured in London or Dubai.
Hasan
Caretaker Govt and law enforcers should ensure political rallies are protected or the democracy will fail. No favors for anybody.
@Anis Motiwala. You need to understand the difference. Using force against your opponents is not allowed but peaceful gathering should never be categorized as terrorism. Usually I don,t agree with Zardari but in this case he is right.
Since when did Zardari started worrying about people and their democratic rights? Oh wait, its election time.
@Aamir;
If you commit terrorism you should be charged for terrorism, elections or no elections.
Mr. Zardari, you are the fine one to talk about democracy
All parties should protect themselves against establishment wrongdoing.
Please let the due process of law take place.