Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
Govt wants to 'abrogate' 1973 Constitution to restore 'One Unit' politics of Gen Ayub regime: Zardari
Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government of planning to "abrogate" the 1973 Constitution "over its reservations on a few clauses of the 18th Amendment" and attempting to restore the One Unit policy of Gen Ayub Khan's regime.
The former president was speaking to journalists in Darya Khan Mari village in Tando Allahyar.
"PPP will resist any such move," he said, adding that his father and politicians from the Ayub era had similarly resisted the dictator in the '60s.
Talking to media at the residence of close aide Ghulam Qadir Mari, Zardari said that the PPP government had restored the 1973 Constitution to its original form when it formed the federal government. He added that his party would resist all moves to scrap the 18th Amendment.
Zardari also dismissed President Dr Arif Alvi’s statement on the 18th Amendment, saying that since he didn’t understand the meaning of defence, he has no right to talk about the amendment.
On December 2, responding to a question while addressing a press conference at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor House, the president had dispelled the impression that the ruling party was in favour of rolling back the 18th Amendment.
One component of the 18th Amendment was to build capacity of the provinces after devolving subjects to them, he had said.
'Puppets' brought to power in general elections
Zardari said that prior to the July 25 general elections, he had made it clear that the way the elections were being held showed that "puppets were being brought to power". He added that these "puppets" could not run the system or take care of Pakistan.
He expressed concern over the present state of affairs in the country, adding that Pakistan needed proper leadership which was aware of the ground realities and had acceptability among the masses.
The PPP leader maintained that his party had accepted the results of elections on the grounds that the "worst democracy is better than the best dictator".
"PPP doesn’t want to give [the] opportunity to some forces to say that democratic forces lack [the] capacity to run government, therefore it should be sent packing," he said, adding that his party would not let that happen.
Zardari believed that the present government wanted the democratic system to be wrapped up because they were politically immature and did not have "political thinking".
The PPP leader also said that he would keep facing charges of money laundering, terming it an ongoing "war".
He said that he was being targeted and that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had faced the same, adding that the current government also had the same intentions.
"Let them test our patience and we will bear their tyranny," he said.
Responding to a question, he said that the current government lacked the capacity to run a government.
"I can’t predict if there will be a national government or early polls, but one thing is for sure that they [PTI] can’t run it,” he said.
'Those who brought PTI to power will support it in face of threats'
Responding to a question about whether PPP would support the government if they faced any threats, Zardari said that those who had brought the PTI to power would support it, "why should the PPP lend any support?"
He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has declared that he would put the entire opposition into prison. "Everyone knows that Asif Zardari has faced trials and tribulations but [the] question is whether Imran Khan can bear them," he said.
He added that Nawaz Sharif had introduced accountability laws and accountability courts to use them against him [Zardari], but Sharif was himself trapped by them.
"Imran Khan may put the opposition in jail," Zardari said, "but Khan’s turn would also come. As the saying goes, ‘as you sow, so shall you reap’."
Zardari said that the farming community had benefited when the PPP was in the federal government.
He noted that a joint investigative team (JIT) was probing and seizing sugar mills’ accounts, but claimed that those were "sick factories which were revitalised so that employment opportunities could be created".
Anti-encroachment drive
Zardari was critical of the demolition of 50,000 shops in Karachi, which he said had left families without jobs.
Read more:Over 1,000 shops in Karachi's Saddar demolished as anti-encroachment drive intensifies
He said that alternate arrangements should have been made before the shops were demolished.
In a sarcastic comment, he said that he doesn't see any foreign policy but the PTI government certainly has a policy of demolishing a 300-year-old wall of the Governor House in Lahore.
Comments (47) Closed
Zardari Saheb, how can they do it? From where will they get Two Thirds majority to even amend the Constitution?
Just abolish 18th amendment, and all RAAJ will be demolished like encroachments, we must seriously do this first.
Zardari, zardari .........that’s adiala jail calls calling .
Z. A. Bhutto was a powerful minister and advisor in General Ayub regime.
Pearls of Wisdom who was never known for his Wisdom!
Next, he will start advising Pakistan about relations with KSA~
keep dreaming zardari, it will be rolled back and a federal presidential sytem is needed.
Please bring back the looted money and face the Court and we all will support you.
Mr Zardari trying to remain relevant.
Encroachement every where turned Karachi into slum-city...Anti-encroachment drive will restore status of Karachi into civilized and discplined metropolatin. In fact, when tehre is no law and order in the city ,this all was happening...it was total failure of law and order and encroachment was part of that situaitn in the city... Encroaching lands every wehre in the city, even building shops/cabins on footpaths,making apartments in the streets, putting foundations of the buildings 3-feet onward on road or street is utterly unlawful practices...so anti encroachement drive is upholding the law and discipline in the city... Turning park land in cloth market in Lee-Market... And,who was benefitting from such practices in the Karachi? Anti-encroachment drive must be appreciated and supported...it is in favour of all residents of the Karachi...
He thinks he is a scholar of wisdom and still can impress public? No, public know that he is a money launderer and a corrupt hustler who made his bank accounts by dishonesty.
Zardari is right, PTI govt is puppet govt.
Zardari saab you were in power for 5 years and you couldn't find the murder(s) of your wife. What can the country expect from you apart from looting it???
Zardari is trying to divert public attention from the investigations he is facing in fake accounts, He will not say a word about it but talk of Gen Ayub’s one unit policy and so on. He should not be insulting the intelligence of people of Pakistan.
I am with PPP, if the party is willing to fight for 18th constitutional amendment.
It makes us cry and cringe when we hear a certified corrupt politician like Asif Ali Zardari to express his concerns about his own country he looted to the maximum!!
@M. Emad, "Z. A. Bhutto was a powerful minister and advisor in General Ayub regime."
Which news are you on?
The days of PPP, PML-N, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari and Mr. Nawaz Shareef are numbered.
It seems there is no chance for competition.
This is the quality of slander I expect from the Co-Chairperson.
Dilemma of Pakistan that we have such a visionary leader like Mr. Zardari.
this crook (Zardari ) should be jailed as well.
what evidence does he base such outlandish claims on. soon, he should be barred from making such misleading statements for his own benefit.
Zardari is making ludicrous claims to stay relevant. He should know his time is up and let younger people take the reigns of the party and state affairs.
The only news my heart desires to read is Zardari and his cohorts have been jailed for 25 years.
More nonsense from Zardari. He has no evidence of this and besides constitutional amendments require two thirds vote in national assembly. This will be impossible to muster
How about showing up in court to answer the charges against you, beore you start worrying about the 'Constitution'?
Respect for the Constitution is a pre-requisite to playing politics. You have yet, much to learn.
At least Ayub Khan got a lot done - what have you done except loot the country
It's prove that u turn fail to run govt ,he and his so called Minster creating hike to divert attention away his failure of GOVT
@Anis Motiwala, He just want to make noise!
One unit was the best idea in terms of unity and saving the people from local feudal lords. PTI is making a mistake in slowing the pace of FATA merger. It perpetuates the backwardness and control of feudal law and society.
@mahmed, : Excellent written Mr Zardari, have to answer to NAB about funds and money transferred out of Pakistan, 2ND Uzair Baluch JIT, third Bahria town land through Rao Anwer, what Zardari friendship and how they keep him in Malir for 9 yrs as SSP, unfortunately he involved his educated son Bilawal in this business and he also answering NAB, queries, why he did 18th amendment, for his RAJ in Sindh and loot Karachi revenue, through 2 banks now he is facing. he tried to become champion of democracy, Mr Zardari your time is over no more you cry for these things/
...but you Sir through the 18th. Amendment have created a ' one unit ' situation in Sindh......and as long as you are left alone to do as you wish with a budget of some 800 billion you are happy....but is that good for the poor impoverished people of Sindh ?
@Justicefirst, Will you call Musharraf also running after committing crimes.
Since his accountability started, he is always day dreaming
Sooner the better, We will get rid of these two Corrupt Political Mafias viz. PPP & N League.
1973 Constitution in original shape ok, but all the subsequent amendments be trashed through an Apex Court Order.
Asif Zardari has gone insane. No one is talking of one unit, everyone is talking of more smaller provinces for administrative reason, as it has become impossible to manage with increased population. Even Afghanistan has 34 provinces. People are suffering in Punjab, with a massive population of 110 million (larger than most countries) everyone has to go to Lahore for their government / bureaucracy problems. Smaller provinces will help relieve this huge pressure and make life easier for the suffering people.
Zardari is the man, who, along with the political gangsters he leads, has blatantly and shamelessly plundered and looted the country, bringing it to the verge of economic collapse. In any society where the rule of law is held supreme such a gangster and his gang would have long been brought to justice for their crimes against the nation. The economic and political damage he and his gang has caused the nation is far greater than any foreign enemies could have done to Pakistan. He and his gangsters are worse than our nation's external enemies. They are Pakistan's real enemies within. It is a shame that they are not held accountable for their crimes against the nation, and are still being allowed to spew their venom and work against the national interests. Imran Khan's government is disappointing the nation by letting such enemies of the nation work so opening against the national interests. This has to stop, if the nation has to survive.
@M. Emad, And he used to call “Ayub Khan’ as DADDY.
18th Amendment is a licence for the little thief to get his share of the pie from the big thief.
IK will never have same treatment, as he is not corrupt while you and Nazwaz are most corrupt since you all entered politics. Thats why both of you are in and out of jail. Swiss accounts are coming soon. Watch the space.
Mr. Zardari read history carefully, one unit started in 1955 three years before Ayub and army took over. He did solidify Punjab’s hold on the provinces of then West Pakistan.
18th amendment is the template for Balkanisation of Pakistan. Just like how 'democracy' was bastardised to convert Pakistan into a kleptocracy, plutocracy and oligarchy....in the very same way, these thugs wish to use the emblem of 18th amendment to turn provinces into their fiefdoms and give democratic facade to their 'monarchies'. Pakistan is not ready for 18th amendment at least until criminals from the politics are not well and truly weeded out.
@Denali, ...He got a lot done including bringing the Indian army to Lahore.
Mr. Zardari , your day of financial accountability is fast approaching, so by issuing irrelevant and irresponsible statements do not bring in more trouble for your and your party.
One unit is the only solution.
That will be one smart thing to do. Make one unit abolish provinces, administratively each district should be independent. Provisional assembly dissolution by itself will save Pakistan almost Rs. 3 billion. Furthermore dissolve upper house. Let the districts vote for presidents and through electoral college and people popular vote the prime minister. Reduce PM tenure to 4 years.
@M. Emad, Thanks for reminding forgetful Pakistanis.