Political parties from across-the-board on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision of granting bail to Asif Ali Zardari but said the government should do more if it really wanted to create "true political harmony". Talking to Business Recorder immediately after the Supreme Court bailed out Asif Ali Zardari in BMW reference, leaders from various political parties termed the decision as a "huge success of democratic forces" and a "big blow to dictatorial elements".
They demanded the release of other 'political prisoners' including Pakistan Muslim League (N) jailed acting president Makhdoom Javed Hashmi and Yousaf Raza Gilani of Pakistan Peoples' Party.
They also paid rich tribute to Asif Zardari for what they termed the courage with which he faced the 'cruelties' during his eight-year detention.
Representing the government on the matter, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Zardari would be released and "this will play an important role in creating an atmosphere of reconciliation".
In her instant reaction from Dubai, former premier and PPP chairperson Ms. Benazir Bhutto expressed the hope that this (decision) would boost democratic forces.
Commenting on bail orders of her husband, Ms. Bhutto said: "The whole nation has suffered during military regimes, past and present. His (Zardari) confinement is an example of how dictators use unethical tools to prolong their rule."
Giving an emotional touch to the occasion, the PPP chairperson said: "I have been waiting for this moment since last eight years. It will bring an end to the sufferings of my children and the children of the whole nation."
Another PPP leader Senator Farhatullah Babar said: "Those who kept Asif Zardari in illegal confinement for more than eight years must today hang their heads in shame."
Babar contradicted reports that the decision was an outcome of a deal his party had struck with the ruling coalition to give way to the process of national reconciliation followed by general elections.
"The government has deliberately been triggering such controversies to minimise the gains PPP has bagged as a result of the illegal confinement of Zardari," Babar said.
PML-N parliamentary leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said: "We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court, but we believe it should have done much earlier."
"The combined opposition will spoil the government's efforts to make the release of Zardari a big issue of controversy," he replied when asked to comment on reports that the decision was a part of the government-PPP deal.
In his reaction, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan reiterated his demand for an independent judiciary to restore its credibility so that it could deliver justice to an oppressed nation.
Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan said: "The decision is a source of encouragement for the democratic-minded people across the country."
Balochistan National Party (BNP) Senator Sanaullah Bloch said that the release of Zardari was a welcome move and hoped it would certainly bring a momentum to the opposition prospective movement against the government in the days to come.
Comments
Comments are closed.