ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: Pakistan People’s Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari has said that there is great potential for Pakistan and India to further strengthen their socio-economic ties.

In an interview with India Today’s Managing Director Raj Chengappa, Mr Zardari said the two countries could develop their bilateral relations, particularly in the economic sector.

“We are a small country compared to India, but we are a larger supporter of it. India can be a super economic power if we do things together,” he added.

Mr Zardari also spoke about the issues to be tackled by new government in Pakistan. About the judiciary, he said his party would prefer open debate in the parliament for the restoration of the deposed judges.

“We need to make the judiciary independent financially too. Then we need to lay down the parameters of what the judiciary’s function are,” he added.

Replying to a question about PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s stand over the issue of restoration of judiciary, Mr Zardari said PML-N’s agenda would coincide with PPP’s agenda.

The PPP leader said for too long in our history the country had suffered because of judicial decisions. “So, we have to be very careful and therefore, I feel there should be an open debate in the parliament.”

Mr Zardari said his party was calling for a national consensus government. He said: “The nation is in a disarray. There is no governance and institutions have been weakened.”

He rejected an alliance with PML-Q and said it had never been a political party. It was a collection of individuals, he said, adding that people had exposed them.

Replying to a question regarding working with President Pervez Musharraf, he said: “I will be working with the Parliament. It is the sovereign governing body of the country.”

When asked to comment on impeachment of President Musharraf, he said that let the parliament decide about this issue.

“We are getting carried away by slogans rather than going to the crux of the matter.” The belief was to strengthen democracy, he added.

Mr Zardari said people had voted for democratic forces against fundamentalist forces and the previous government.—APP