President Zardari blames bureaucracy in Islamabad for Pakistan’s perceived poverty

GARHI KHUDA BAKHSH (INP): President Asif Ali Zardari assailed the bureaucracy in Islamabad on Sunday, saying Pakistan was not a poor country but it had been made so by mindset of the ‘babus’ [officers] sitting in the capital.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of the 45^th death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Zardari recounted how former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had appointed him as the chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, despite doubts from some friends about his leadership capabilities.

The president emphasised that Pakistan’s status as a poor nation was not predetermined, adding that despite Allah’s provision of abundant wealth, the nation suffered from a lack of intellect.

Zardari stressed the importance of cultivating a mindset that seeks to understand and address the country’s challenges comprehensively.

Reflecting on his presidency, Zardari attributed his success to the unwavering support of the workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party. With the party’s four-decade-long struggle, he expressed determination to lead the country towards prosperity and development.

Zardari highlighted his methodical approach to governance, ensuring that every decision is made with careful consideration to prevent harm to the nation. He reiterated the interconnectedness of the people and the nation, stating that the loss suffered by individuals ultimately impacts the country as a whole.

Zardari acknowledged the enduring consequences of the actions of historical figures who have inflicted damage on the nation, which continues to be felt in the present day.

Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that all politicians and political parties should work on a ‘Charter of National Reconciliation’ to avoid fighting with each other and shun politics of foul language.

“Rather than playing dharna dharna, we should sit on the table and have a political dialogue to bring improvement in our system, democracy, and institutions through amendments,” he said while addressing a large crowd in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, Sindh on Sunday.

The PPP chief’s recommendation comes as the newly formed alliance of opposition parties Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aain will launch a massive movement.

This alliance kicked off its protest movement against alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections from Balochistan by staging two separate public gatherings in Pishin and Chaman on Saturday.

Without naming the multi-party confab, Bilawal described it as the “PNA (Pakistan National Alliance) 2” and added that the alliance was beating drums for alleged vote-rigging to cause “economic and political instability.”

He reminded the parties of the result of such movements, warning them of the risk of dictatorship in the country.

“When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the PM of this country, some conspirators like ‘nine stars’ started a campaign and thought that they would oust Bhutto and come into power. But because of their campaign Pakistan had to bear dictatorship for 10 years and this risk exists today,” he said while addressing a large crowd in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, Sindh on Sunday.

The country would not develop and democracy would be at the receiving end if politicians make such an environment and not focus on national reconciliation and are involved in politics of bad-mouthing.

While advising the politicians to “come to their senses”, he called for dialogue between political parties. The PPP chief added that the party would try to provide relief to the people in the provinces ruled by them.

He also mentioned about the ‘Charter of Democracy’, saying that the party achieved 90% of its target under the agreement. The remaining 10 per cent was related to the judicial reforms, he said and hoped to do it with all parties, legal fraternity, and civil society.

Bilawal called for reviving people’s trust in the national institutions. Every worker of the PPP wants the implementation of the charter of democracy, he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari also addressed the people. He shunned the impression that Pakistan was a poor country and blamed the “thinking, understanding and softheaded” of ’Babus in Islamabad“.

He said that such thinking has made Pakistan a poor state, reiterating that the country was not poor.

The country has everything, but lacks intellectual capacity, Zardari said and called for sitting together. “What is in power? Power is about people’s service and we fight for it,” he said and stressed the need for dialogue.

“If you cannot come to that point then withdraw. The PPP for the past 40 years have been fighting. Sometimes it withdraws, advances, sidesteps and takes a front step,” the president said and called for thinking before taking any step.