Pakistan People's Party co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday warned that Pakistan would be in danger if the general elections scheduled for February 18 are rigged. Addressing a largely attended news conference here at Bilawal House soon after his arrival, Zardari vowed to carry on the mission of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
"It is a moving movement for me. My visit to Punjab is important in the struggle aimed at accomplishment of mission of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto," a transformed and highly articulate Asif Zardari said.
"BB had last time seen off me with an Imam Zamin and now see myself carrying on her unfinished agenda," he said. Zardari urged the people from Kyhber to Kemari to come out on February 18 and vote for saving the country. He also asked his party workers to remain at the polling stations on February 18, and leave to their homes only after getting election results.
"Our enemy is trying to weaken the Pakistan of Quaid-i-Azam, Z.A Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto but we will foil all such conspiracies. Thousands of PPP workers have already embraced 'Shahadat' to save the country," Zardari said.
Zardari said that people of the country are demanding restoration of real democracy and absolute powers to the parliament. "My message is clear that if we want to save Pakistan, democracy must be restored," he said. He asked the establishment to read the writing on the wall and get rid of 'paper tigers' who are unable to contribute rather their further presence would be harmful for the country.
"We are participating in the polls under protest as European Union and other observers have already declared that the elections are pre-rigged," he said. Zardari said that we want new agreement with Islamabad, which would be a social contract with the Parliament under which all the provinces would be given powers under the 1973 Constitution. When asked about the possibility of working with President Pervez Musharraf, Zardari said his party would decide about it after the elections.
To another question, Asif said collective wisdom and governance are necessary to save the country. He said that his tour to Punjab was overdue adding that he would start the election campaign in Punjab by addressing a gathering in Lahore and would also address a public meeting at Faisalabad on February 14.
When asked about security provided to him by the Punjab government, Zardari said "I am seeing security." PPP leaders Jahangir Badr, Farzana Raja, Farhatullah Baber, Rehman Malik and others were also present on the occasion.