President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed his commitment to stabilising Pakistan’s fragile economy and promoting political unity, saying the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) remains steadfast to its founding ideology despite mounting national challenges.
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Addressing party workers, local leadership and former ticket holders from South Punjab, the president said visiting the region felt like being in his home province, Sindh, highlighting shared cultural traditions and unity between the two areas.
Zardari expressed pride in having spent nearly 14 years in prison, stating that he endured incarceration with courage due to the unwavering support of party workers. In an apparent reference to a political rival, he remarked that true leadership is tested during hardship, contrasting his imprisonment with others who, he claimed, could not withstand pressure despite spending less time in custody.
Acknowledging ongoing economic difficulties and inflation, the president attributed the crisis to alleged mismanagement by the previous government but said current efforts under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were aimed at stabilising the economy and ensuring effective governance.
Highlighting national security concerns, Zardari pointed to tensions along international borders and criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while praising Pakistan’s armed forces for their sacrifices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
He emphasised the need to modernise agriculture by providing farmers with improved facilities to boost productivity, strengthen food security and support national development.
Reaffirming the PPP’s ideological roots, Zardari said the vision initiated by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was carried forward by Benazir Bhutto and continues today under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
He also appreciated senior political figures from South Punjab, including Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood and the Gillani family, for their contributions to strengthening the region’s political landscape.
Earlier, Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood welcomed the president on his arrival in South Punjab and praised Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s efforts in mobilising party workers and building a strong organisational team based on merit and ideological commitment.
