PPP to continue policy of reconciliation: Zardari

NAUDERO: Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday reiterated the party’s resolve to continue the policy of reconciliation in line with the vision of Benazir Bhutto for strengthening democracy in the country. The president expressed these views while presiding over the PPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting held on the eve of the third death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto. The CEC, on the occasion, paid rich tribute to the visionary leadership of Benazir and offered fateha for the soul of their leader. Zardari, while addressing the CEC meeting, said he was following the policy of reconciliation, as per the vision and lesson of Benazir.

The president said that after the assassination of Benazir, they were incited by some people, but he could not see destruction in Pakistan and followed the reconciliatory vision of their leader. He said it was due to the PPP’s policy of reconciliation that coalition governments were in place in the Centre as well as in provinces. Later, briefing journalists after the meeting, Law Minister Babar Awan said the meeting reposed full confidence in the leadership of the party’s chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari. Babar said the president, during the meeting, vowed to take all coalition partners along and asked the party to avoid giving provocative statements.

He said it was decided that any changes in the cabinet would be done on the basis of performance. Babar said the PPP was ready for local bodies elections next year. To a question, the minister said JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman was a pro-democracy leader and had always extended his support on issues of national importance. To another question about the progress in the investigation of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Babar said no one could be more concerned about the issue than President Zardari and his children. The minister said a public address would be held today (Monday), in which the president will announce a new road map for democracy in the country. He said the investigation report of Benazir’s assassination would be presented in the next meeting, when Bilawal will also be present.