“I Can Bring No-Confidence Motion and Ensure Its Success”: President Asif Ali Zardari

Lahore: The inside story of President Asif Ali Zardari’s meeting with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders in Punjab has emerged, revealing his assertive stance on party unity and national service.

According to sources, Zardari told party leaders, “Remember this: I am the one who can bring a no-confidence motion, and I also know how to make it successful.” He emphasized that PPP’s focus should be on public service rather than ministries or powers, saying, “The interest of the PPP is Pakistan. If Pakistan exists, we exist. As president, I stood by Pakistan. We didn’t take ministries because we wanted to strengthen the party.”

Zardari reportedly reflected on his time in jail, stating that he never called for a strike and dealt with challenges with patience. He admitted that internal grouping and shortcomings in Punjab were weaknesses, which must now be eliminated to strengthen the party.

He praised Punjab Governor Sardar Salim Haider for his efforts to strengthen the party and noted that the Governor House remains available to party leaders at all times. Zardari urged leaders to focus on public service, highlighting his electoral success in Nawabshah as a result of dedication to the people.

He also remarked on Pakistan’s strategic achievements, stating that if Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had not made Pakistan a nuclear power, the country’s situation could have been worse than Nepal’s. He added that over 1,250 canals in Sindh have been concreted and numerous bridges constructed through public-private partnerships over the past 15 years.