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PPP decides to hold country-wide protests after Zardari's arrest
The PPP's central executive committee (CEC) during a late night meeting on Monday decided to call country-wide protests following the arrest of co-chairman and ex-president Asif Zardari.
PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a press conference following the meeting said he would "make the government an offer".
"Bring a people-friendly budget. I will support it. We have always taken democratic steps for the people," he said.
"But you will bring a budget that is an enemy of the people (awam dushman budget)," he continued. "You are threatening my workers, my family, you arrested my father. If you bring such a budget, I will show you what a protest is," he said.
Bilawal also promised that his party would bring judicial reform and raise issues of human rights at every forum. "We are ready to take any step," he said.
The PPP has decided to set up a contact committee and run a mass contact campaign, for which a schedule and process will be determined after consensus formation and engagement with leaders, Bilawal told reporters.
He advised his party's provincial chapters' presidents to form their strategies because he would be paying them visits soon.
Well-placed sources in the PPP told DawnNewsTV it had been decided in the CEC meeting that opposition parties would participate in a multi-party conference, and that they would proceed as a joint opposition.
The sources said that the party would protest the government's "revenge tactics", the budget, and the rising cost of living.
According to the party's media cell, a protest has been called tomorrow at Karachi's Hassan Square to protest against Zardari's arrest.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Shah appealed to party workers and supporters to maintain calm during their protest. "Threats and damage to private or public property are unacceptable," he said.
Additionally, Shah said, displaying weapons or using sticks to harass people will not be tolerated. "We will take action against this sort of behaviour."
Earlier today, former president Asif Zardari was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau in Islamabad in connection with the fake accounts case after his application seeking an extension in his pre-arrest bail was rejected.
Party leaders have written to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser requesting a production order for Zardari to attend the ongoing budget session.
The former president spent 11 years in jail on corruption and murder charges before becoming president in 2008. But he was never convicted and has continued to deny any wrongdoing.
With additional reporting by Imtiaz Ali in Karachi.
Comments (99) Closed
He was never convicted, true but who was ever convicted before last few years. No one so does that mean everyone from eighties and nineties was clean.
Long over due. Finally Justice is taking place.
@Gaz,
Mr. Gaz,
You are right.
Great but again one must not loose focus of the budget that will bring inflation tomorrow. It was a grave try to divert attention from the real issue where IK has made Pakistan suffer which is more than combined corruption of everyone in Pakistan. Juts push with it, as I already told that IK will respond with cases, arrests to not to allow opposition to put pressure on IK to perform. IK is at too much comfort and has no pressure to perform that has led to more disaster for Pakistan. There should be someone who needs to maintain check and balance on IK.
Another wasteful effort in the making by BBZ. People have given there verdict against corruption. The evil minds only belong in jail for life.
No one can pull crowds like PTI. Even if all the looter get together they can't never match the Tsunami of honest people's Prime Minister of Pakistan Honorable Imran Khan Niazi!
Topple the govt and wait and see PTI coming back with majority. We are ready for anything but no more Convict Criminal Nawaz or Convict Zardari and their families who have done grand loot wealth building from common people of Pakistan.
What else can you expect from corrupt PPP and it's cunning, crooked, cruel and criminal cronies?
A try to divert attention from dismal economic performance by PTI by making these arresrs and moves. Try to divert attention from the history's most un-intelligent budget
I don't think a common person will be there to safe criminal, only few purchased people will be there, government must take every action to keep the city peaceful.
A unnecessary drama. A waste of time. Justice will prevail over ship business...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
Justice is done finally. Thief is behind bars, keep him there.
He’s holding the nation at ransom for his corruption, he should be treated like a traitor!
Bring it on Baby Bilawal. If you want to show the Government what a protest looks like, I hope it will show you what the inside of a cell looks like.
When the Panjabis and Kashmiris Lieutenant General Jawaid Iqbal Awan, Brigadier Raja Rizwan, Mr. Nawaz Shareef, Ms. Maryam Nawaz, etc., get sentences for their crimes and corruptions then why not the Zardaris, Bhuttos, Talpurs, Memons, etc?
Political instability in Pakistan means a huge Economic Disaster.
It is my request to PTI to stop this political vendetta. Our country needs stability. No more playing traitor-traitor and political bashing games. Economic progress needs political stability and PTI's delusional followers must understand that. Any political instability is counter productive to the progress and well-being of our society.
Some gullible poor getting fooled to protest.
Arrest bilawal and complete PPP too.
@Aisha Khan, Selective Justice is taking place just before the budget. it is pre-planned to divert the attention from the budget.
@Gaz, well he is still not arrested on conviction. What's your point?
Bunch of mafia thugs trying to forcibly subvert a fair accountability process. Trying typical tactics of acting victims while using their tricks for years to loot the nation. Using fake slogans to divert the attention.
Protests? Go ahead, one tried earlier & no body came out.
Justice will be done when these corrupt leaders will be kept in similar cell where a poor hungry person is put upon steeling a piece of bread. Rather putting these wealthy corrupt criminals in jail with all the luxury available using public money, better bring the looted money back in the country. Pakistan needs that money to bring out the country from this economic crisis.
@Aisha Khan, what Justice? He remain in jail for 11 years and then released and same will happen now. So where is Justice?
In my view, only a few hundred well wishers and sympathizers will come out, so nothing to worry about. As general public know about Asif Zardari's black and cunning activities.
ONLY THIEVES WILL STAND WITH ZARDARI..... PUT ALL OF THEM IN JAIL...
How can he even defend Zardari, please don't give democracy a bad name
PPP obviously thinks Zardari is above the law! Curious he can’t account for his massive wealth!
I would like to see who comes out to protest for Zardari's arrest and if a lot of people do come out, which I do not expect, then that would explain the sorry state of the country.
No Mercy for thieves
There is a need to arrest Bilawal too...the empire he sits on came from the same loot for which Zardari is being booked.
This is Pakistan, sadly where the arrest of criminals is protested and victims are defamed.
peoples who attend this protest should be arrested and charged with aiding the criminals.
A criminal is arrested and the looting party protests. Violence will be incited by the unruly, and people will be hurt and worse. What a sad state of affairs. Bilawal should be put under house arrwst., and denied use of the mobile phone and internet.
What a sham reason for protesting, the budget. A dishonest son fed on looted money will cause unrest due to Zardari s arrest, expected for years.
How about delivering in sindh? The tap water I get in Hyderabad smell like sewerage. This is after 10 years of rule in sindh.
The protests by the PPP is against the institution of justice, and it must be dealt with as a criminal affair.
Arrest does not matter , he needs to be convicted ! He came after 11 years of imprisonment but became bigger criminal !
He was convicted not by the expedient Pakistani courts but by a independent court in europe as was his wife
@Aisha Khan, lol, that's what you said a year ago, and two years ago.
So a well known corrupt man who became a billionaire is arrested and the people want to protest. The money Zardari has looted is now being paid to the PPP protesters to show solidarity yet the same people are not protesting at the state of Sind province.
No one will join the protest. No one is interested people have important things to do.
Send our army to control these people they have no right to fake protest a well known looter.
Bilawal Zardari instigating PPP supporters to protect Asif Zardari and his aunt's corruptions. This time no one will be spared. Now PPP supporters have to decide if the are against corruption or for corruption in Pakistan.
Pakistan has huge population of over 200 million people. No one will shed a tear for corrupt politician like Asif Zardari, except those who were part of his scams and benefitted in his loot and plunder. All other provinces have progressed, but Sindh under Zardari (mis)rule has become worse than Mohen jo Daro, a 5000 year old civilization.
Coward, let's see how many people can you pay from rural Sindh to launch a protest!!
are they going to burn the country because their leader has been arrested. you are allowed to protest peacefully, anyone breaking the law should be dealt with in a manner to the way TLP was.
Corrupt people can only help
If paid enough the fools will come out. They and our enemies are on the same side.
With 2 and a half dozen people, or with the daily paid workers? who will be part of it?
Send him to Kot Lakhpath Jail, assign him a cell next to Mian Sharif 's. Keep both there for the next 10 years, the country might get rid of dynastic leadership.
Where are the LEAs in Sindh? while goons of PPP burning tires and forcefully closing shops. An fyi for LEAs, beside running Water Tanker Mafia, Cement Mafia, Parking Mafia, Real Estate Mafia there is another important thing like security.
PPP have right to hire a lawyer for their corrupt leader but should not be allowed to vandalize public property.
Any attempt by anyone including PPP to disrupt peace and obstruct justice in Zardari case is illegal. Bilawal should support the law without question. Zardari must face the law and consequences. Otherwise PK will sink further.
The PPP's central executive committee (CEC) during a late night meeting on Monday decided to call country-wide protests following the arrest of co-chairman and ex-president Asif Zardari. . . . . . . It was not spontaneous. PPP workers organized the protests.
Billiwali family is threatened??? This guy is a clown.
I hope there is evidence and that he is not just arrested to be let go later. If there is evidence then Pak should offer him a plea bargain i.e. admit corruption, return all the looted money and surrender all his assets then debar him from holding any public office in lieu of letting him leave Pak for good.
Same deal should be offered to Sharifs and their cronies. Catch and put behind bars all their pawns/cronies one by one and see how quickly they will agree to the plea deal.
"We have always taken democratic steps for the people." Bilawal Zardari . . . . Yes, if you are living in a fantasy world.
Why people of sindh or punjab are you know what i mean ?? they always the crimnal's why ??
Let us start a container protest.
As you brew，so you must drink.......
Shame on his supporters.. This guy was a goon since the birth...
Mr. Bilawal... please first give human rights to the people of rural Sind.
thanks allaha
Spoilers of the economy
Mr. 10 Percent got what he deserve.
As always these "jiyalas" will be paid to join protest. I am afraid there may be clashes in Karachi between two groups.
All paid-for supporters out on the streets, but the leaders don't ever show up if the supporters go to jail...how ironic
Bilawal zardari is not even any leader. His loudmouth statements are just for his corrupt father’s freedom. Strange are our PUBLIC that they FOLLOW these Corrupt people KNOWINGLY!
I am curious to see the number of people on the street, if any !! PPP - Please go ahead and give it a shot and u will find out the popularity graph of AZ
@Aisha Khan, Nobody is above law of the State, not even Zardari or his son Bilawal Zardi nee Bhutto. If his son Bilawal is threatening to stage a protest strike with a view to creating chaos, he must be charged according to the law.
This is right decision to arrest Mr Zardari, he have to return Malir land which give to land mafia as ex-gratia, Damaged whole fishery, lyari and become all fishermen unemployed, no development, no water, electricity, education since last 3 tenure of PPP. If he return all looted money, and also return all money laundering to Federal Govt and these to be used for the development of Lyari, which suffered huge loss and damaged to these corrupt, last election we have not voted to chairman.
The Pakistani laws need a complete re-hash to lock up crooks who loot public money. Unfortunately the laws are formulated by very some crooked and twisted individuals, what a shame. IK needs to come back with a larger majority in order to make necessary changes.
D-day for crooks, let's hope that this time he will get proper conviction for his loot and plunderance...
hip hip hooray
Ignorance of the masses is at display here. A crook who has robbed billions of dollars from Pakistan and people protest when he is arrested.
Zardari stole the original incriminating documents/evidence and burnt them because he knew that the Stone Age Pakistani judicial system does not admit photocopies and circumstantial evidence.
Bilawal should launch a country wide protest against looting of billions by Zardari and others It is no coincidence that Zardari was known as Mr. 10 percent
all agitators leader should be shot. lets see if the sheep follow. enough of these thieves .
Yes, you should have protests. We want to see if you really have supporters.
here comes the accountability----Whether it is political victimization----finally the Justice seems to be!
If there will be no justice then their will b counter country side demonstration
@Gaz, For 11 years his lawyers, his rule,his friends rule, the NROs, pull out from grey areas. Unfortunately you can’t deny banks accounts. And this time you got the stick. The two close friends Nawaz Sharif & Zardari will remain close for a long time. Have a nice time.
This is the image of Pakistan that the world sees....a corrupt man is supported by thousands on the street...especially by main stream parties. The world thinks we are morally bankrupt....probably rightly so.
@Aisha Khan, Absolutely. These guys are boosting for holding country wide protest, they are more than welcome to test the resolve of PTI and LEAs. And last but not least they may try to hold protest in Dubai, Geveva,London, and Toronto, all these places have their absconders friends wanted in Pak for financial crimes.
If you closely observe, the key political party leaders are trapped in one or other case and put behind bars. Only dummy/ non competent party leaders are spared. The way NS trial went and convicted is a clear evidence. It is not a million dollar question as who will be beneficiaries of having weak democratic political system in the country.
Wrong decision, rebuild
He was once known as Mr 10 percent.
Time to check all those moving in four wheels like Land Cruiser by NAB/FBR and to check the sources how they got these Benami assets.90% is from corrupt money.
I am not sure what these people are chanting for. Another disastrous regime, where country was mercilessly looted. Corrupt rule where common man suffered with no let up. C'mon Pakistan we are better than this.
In what world would a self respecting person support a thug like Zardari?
bilawal you must be nuts to think you can hold country hostage for a thief, Mr 10%, someone your mother had to tell lies in the parliament. you would do a service a leave a legacy if you can get him to fork up the money he stole from the people of Pakistan and who will be paying for this for generations to come.
PPP holding a country-wide protest? Country-wide?
As a sitting MNA, AAZ does enjoy certain privileges but none of them includes disrupting public life simply because PPP doesn't like the accountability drive...If there's any flaw in the accountability process parliament is the right place to point it out and discuss it and make the people well-informed before asking them to come out on streets...
Unless these are paid protesters otherwise It’s mind boggling to see people still behind these crooks!
Jail gives a man time to think. To concentrate the criminal mind...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
The question is how this man became so rich out of movie theatre business, and owning agricultural land which didn’t produce.gold either nor he held any 8-5 job yet he owned palaces amongst other real properties. And that’s where he’s getting nailed!
Don't these people look inside their houses, can't they see the darkness of poverty and hardships generation after generation? Or are they completely blind? What has Zardari given them to-date?
@Aisha Khan, hope it will have the logical end too...Not just arresting will help the cause...the nation wants the looted money back by all means....