Zardari assures Nawaz of cooperation against terrorism

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday met to discuss the situation that has arisen after the Karachi tragedy. Zardari assured PM Nawaz of his cooperation against terrorism as both leaders agreed to work together in order to eliminate terrorism.

In their meeting at Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif discussed the terrorist attack carried out yesterday and the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi. They also discussed the outstanding political issues of the country including the NFC award.

Both leaders believed that all the stakeholders will have to work together against terrorism. Former President Zardari assured PM of his cooperation, upon which PM thanked the former president. (DunyaNews)

Former President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned Karachi tragedy

Islamabad, 13 May 2015: Former President Co-Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the barbaric and brutal attack on a bus in Karachi in which according to reports 43 innocent citizens from Ismaili community have been killed and more than a dozen have been injured.

Former President in a message called the attack despicable and barbaric on innocent citizens travelling in a bus in Karachi. He said it was a shameful act and cowardice on the part of attackers to attack innocent citizens of one of the most peaceful communities in Pakistan. He said his heart goes out with the victims’ families.

He said that on hearing the news he immediately instructed Chief Minister Sindh to proceed to Karachi and monitor relief activities. He said that Sindh Government will provide every help to the victims’ families and bring the attackers to book.

He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and early recovery of injured. He also prayed for strength and fortitude to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity.

Press Release

Kabul: Former President Zardari and former Prime Minister Yusuf Reza Gilani, accompanied by Sherry Rehman and Faisal Karim Kundi had a series of bilateral meetings in Kabul today.

The PPP delegation was hosted for dinner by President Ashraf Ghani, along with other dignitaries at the Dilkusha Palace where matters of mutual bilateral interest were discussed in an atmosphere of goodwill and cordiality. The delegation also met CEO Abdullah Abdullah at lunch, and former President Karzai at tea.

Yusuf Reza Gilani, Sherry Rehman and Faisal Karim Kundi also visited the renovated Pakistan Embassy in Kabul where they were hosted by the Ambassador for a reception and tree plantation ceremony.

The PPP delegation stressed the importance of improving and enhancing people to people, economic, trade and strategic ties with Afghanistan. Former President Zardari hailed the formation of the unity government in Kabul, and encouraged the support Pakistan could provide at multiple levels for the advance of peace in the region.

The delegation will meet members of civil society at breakfast before departing from the Kutibagchay Palace in Kabul for Islamabad.

Former President Asif Ali Zardari grieved over helicopter crash in Gilgit

Islamabad, 08 May 2015: Former President Co-Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his profound grief and sorrow over helicopter crash near Naltar in Gilgit today in which ambassadors were travelling with their families.

According to reports Ambassadors of Norway and Philippines Leif Larson and Domingo D Lucenario Jr, wives of Indonesian and Malaysian ambassadors died in crash. Ambassador of Netherland Marcel De Vink and Poland Andrzej Ananicz were injured. Two pilots Major Altamash Major Faisal also died in the crash. It is also reported that ambassadors of Romania and Lebanon and High Commissioners of South Africa and Indonesia were also injured.

Former President in a condolence message said that he is shocked and grieved over the news of crash of helicopter carrying foreign diplomats.

Former President prayed for the departed souls and early recovery on injured. He also condoled to the bereaved families for the tragedy.

Zardari calls for early adoption of Right to Information Legislation and code of conduct

Calls for ending impunity for crimes against media persons

Islamabad May 2, 2015: On the eve of the Press Freedom Day today the PPP calls for early adoption of the Right to Information law that is lying in limbo since long despite its adoption unanimously by the Senate Information Committee.

The Party also calls for early finalization of the code of conduct that balances the right to information and the right of citizens—a code that is respected by all and implemented with the force of law.

This has been stated by former President and PPP Co Chair Mr Asif Ali Zardari in a message on the Press Freedom Day falling on Sunday May 3, 2015.

“The fact that the RTI legislation has been finalized by the Senate Committee almost a year ago but the government, despite promises, has not tabled it in the Parliament raises serious questions about the intent and motives of the government”.

The Party is also deeply concerned about the impunity with which crimes against media persons have been committed and calls for effective institutional mechanism for protection of media persons as well as bringing the perpetrators of crimes against them to justice.

Freedom of the media is a foundational pillar of democracy, transparency and accountability that must not be allowed to be weakened because of the impunity of crimes against media persons, Mr. Zardari said.

PPP committed to expanding rights and privileges of workers

Islamabad April 30, 2015: The observance of the international Labor Day is an occasion to pay homage to the workers and wage earners as well as to renew our pledge to defend the dignity and ensure decent living to the workers of the country. On this occasion we also reiterate our pledge that the PPP will not permit sacking of workers in the name of privatization and will continue to strive for expanding the rights and privileges of the working classes.

This has been stated by Co-Chairman PPP former President Asif Ali Zardari in his message on the international Labor Day falling on Friday May 1.

Workers are the back bone of the society the PPP Co-chair said adding also that the Party will always stand by them in their fight for dignity and rights.

The Party will resist any attempt at retrenchment of workers in the name of privatization and will use every available forum for saving workers jobs.

He said that the Party was proud of its record that during the previous PPP government we reinstated sacked employees, regularized contract and daily wage earners, restored trade union activities and created legislative mechanisms enabling workers seek legal remedies against any unlawful dismissals.

We will not permit any reversal of those policies to the detriment of working classes he said.

Both the founding chairperson and his daughter Shaheed Benazir Bhutto promised workers right to job security, decent wages and right to dignity and a rightful place in society. They also struggled alongside the labor for the attainment of these rights. We will ensure that the promises made by our Shaheed leaders are fulfilled in letter and spirit, he said.

The struggle for improving the working conditions of workers and protection from exploitation is a continuous one and the Party will continue its struggle to secure the rightful place of workers in the society, Mr Zardari said.

Bilawal sets PPP’s sights on 2018 general election

                                

                               PPP chief says PPP hasn’t changed, still voice of the poor 

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Patron-in-chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Saturday his party would show to the world by 2018 that it is still very much alive.

“We will show before the 2018 elections that PPP is alive and far much better than before,” he said in a rare public appearance at Bilawal House on the party’s 47th Foundation Day.

He denied the PPP has changed, saying that the party could never change as it connects people. He predicted that the PPP would not only remain alive until 2018 elections but prove itself as the best party of the country.

Bilawal said Pakistan is not property of any “mullah” or a “player”. He also lashed out at the government, saying that life of common man has become harder as a “storm of inflation and high price” in the country has crossed all limits.

The PPP leader also vowed to resist a privatisation drive planned by the government. “We are against privatisation hundred percent… and we will not let it happen,” he said.

“This is not privatisation but this is personalisation,” he added, in a reference to alleged nepotism.

In his speech, Bilawal also highlighted the “sacrifices and achievements” of Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari, and said that the PPP has always challenged the status quo.

“Our detractors say that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari does not speak the language of common people,” he said in his speech, delivered in Urdu.

“They do not realise that the relationship between me and [party workers] transcends language.”

Bilawal said that his grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had secured release of 70,000 Pakistan Army troops from Indian jails. He said the status quo at that time hanged Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who had given Pakistan its constitution, nuclear programme and true democracy.

The PPP leader said his father, former president Asif Ali Zardari, had given the country 18th Amendment “which makes provinces stronger”, adding that Zardari had also given all his legal powers to parliament to make it centre of power.

He said that it was due to Zardari’s wisdom that the national flag waved in Swat valley again while the Benazir Income Support Programme helped the poor in the country.

Later, Bilawal raised party slogans along with PPP workers and joined his sister Bakhtawar Bhutto and Faryal Talpur to cut a cake and mark the party’s Foundation Day.

Former ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman, Senator Raza Rabbani and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah were also present.