Face Prison Like Men, Why Cry Like Women?”: President Asif Ali Zardari Criticizes Political Opponents

**Islamabad** – President Asif Ali Zardari has said that political workers should face imprisonment with courage, remarking that it has only been a year and a half and questioning why some are “crying like women instead of enduring jail like men.”

Addressing party workers in Rahim Yar Khan, President Zardari said he grew up hearing gunfire shortly after the call to prayer at his birth and urged his supporters not to be intimidated by threats.

He recalled appointing Yousaf Raza Gillani as prime minister and emphasized respect for the Seraiki community, stating that Seraiki is his mother tongue.

Paying tribute to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Zardari said no leader today matches her vision. “She learned politics from Bhutto, and we learned from her,” he said, referring to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

The president stated that friendly countries had advised Benazir Bhutto against returning to Pakistan, but she insisted on fulfilling her promise to the people. He added that her martyrdom was not something he had anticipated, recalling that he had advised her not to attend a particular engagement before her assassination, but she remained fearless as Bhutto’s daughter.

President Zardari reaffirmed his commitment to national unity, saying, “We will not let Pakistan break apart.”

He also referred to his family’s past hardships, mentioning that his sister was arrested at night and that Benazir Bhutto was imprisoned for five years in Sukkur Jail. He urged political workers to show resilience, adding that respect increases with humility.

Zardari concluded by reiterating that he has faced challenges since childhood and is not afraid of intimidation.