Co-Chairman PPP and President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday categorically stated that the present PPP-led government will complete its mandated five-year tenure and pledged to hold the next general elections in a fair and transparent manner to take the process of democracy forward.
"Today I declare this from Garhi Khuda Bakhsh that your government will complete five years. And I also pledge that the (next) elections would be fair and transparent, so that nobody can raise a finger on it. This is our duty and we owe it," he said. Addressing a huge public meeting here on the occasion of the 3rd martyrdom anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, Zardari said according to the guideline of Benazir Bhutto he was taking along the coalition partners.
He advised the political actors to show responsibility as PPP nurtured democracy with its blood and sacrificed lives of its leaders and workers. "We will create a new Pakistan as we saved it by raising the slogan of Pakistan Khappay," Zardari said amidst heightened emotions and the vociferous slogans of "Jeay Bhutto" and "Zinda Hai Bibi Zinda Hai." PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari and Asifa Bhutto Zardari were also present in the meeting, which was also attended by federal ministers, provincial ministers, Senators, members of national and provincial assemblies and leaders and office bearers of PPP from all parts of Pakistan.
The President in his address spoke on various issues and challenges facing the country as well as the achievements of PPP government during the last three years including the restoration of 1973 Constitution, NFC Award, Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan, restoration of judges, Benazir Income Support Programme, women empowerment measures, autonomy to Gilgit-Baltistan and giving identity to Pakhtoons by renaming the province as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Referring to the relations with PML (N), President Zardari said PPP successfully convinced the PML-N to take part in elections when it had decided to go for a boycott and then removed Pervez Musharraf as PML-N wanted. He said the country was burning on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto but PPP did not revolt and accepted postponement of elections and foiled plans of enemies to create disunity in Pakistan.
The President said good governance in Punjab was possible because of PPP, adding that PML-N now should have no problem. President Zardari said Benazir Bhutto will remain alive in the hearts of people forever and Pakistan of Bhuttos will be saved. He said December 27 saddens their hearts but this day also renews people's dedication to democracy.
The President saluted the martyrs of democracy and said Garhi Khuda Bakhsh is Karbala of People's Party and democratic forces as it has graves of martyrs and unknown workers who laid their lives for the cause of democracy. He said Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was known for his intelligence and he united Muslims by holding OIC conference and strengthened friendship with China, United States and Russia.
When Bhutto, who was political father of People's Party, offered his life he got his name written in history and Benazir Bhutto followed in footsteps of her father after 30 years of political life in the service of people, he mentioned. He said Benazir Bhutto is alive and present among them as she is not an individual but is name of a revolution and a thought. Zardari said he is answerable to Benazir Bhutto and she asks him questions as what he is doing for Pakistan.
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto made him trustee of her children and the country, he said, adding that Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Asifa were studying in the institutions attended by Benazir Bhutto. PPP workers have to be patient before children of Benazir Bhutto can undertake the journey for the cause of Pakistan, he added. The President said all the assemblies passed a resolution demanding a United Nations inquiry into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
Benazir Bhutto wanted the UN probe after she was first attacked in Karachi, he said, adding that PPP welcomed the UN inquiry but as probe report was incomplete and did not touch certain issues, the PPP voiced its reservations. The President said Pervez Musharraf, who did not provide security to Benazir Bhutto, used to say that he will not allow her to return to Pakistan.
But now Musharraf himself cannot come back to Pakistan and asks whether he can make a comeback, he said, adding that history teaches its own lessons and now his party and parliament will decide whether Musharraf should come back to Pakistan or not. President Zardari said the PPP government returned its identity to Pakhtuns, which strengthened Pakistan.
He pointed out that he drew his strength for such decisions from the thoughts of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. "Now Pakhtuns with their renewed identity can walk with their heads raised," he remarked. President Zardari said Ziaul Haq could not understand how Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was hanged, became a phenomenon, which resides in hearts of people. "We are showing the world that Bhuttoism is alive," he remarked.
Zardari said Benazir is guiding him in his actions and as the parliament revived the constitution of 1973, he returned presidential powers so that nobody can ask Bilawal in future as to why his father did not take the step when he could have. He said 1973 constitution unites the federation and protects rights of provinces and removes their sense of deprivation.
"As the laws are in place, now it will be the duty of the next generation to take steps to strengthen democracy," he remarked. The President said National Finance Commission Award and Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan gave rights to provinces and now Pakistan is moving in the direction set by Benazir Bhutto.
"Now people in Balochistan are thinking that they should stay with Pakistan but their wounds of over 60 years are deep and sense of denial persists so more needs to be done," he observed. President Zardari said he was taking decisions by using power conferred upon him by founder of PPP and Benazir Bhutto. He said those who killed Benazir Bhutto had a particular mindset and his party is responding to their act of cruelty by fighting for democracy everywhere.
"Pakistan is going through a phase of transition of democracy and in its three years the government took steps to set its direction straight and resolve problems of people." Zardari said as was the desire of Benazir Bhutto, PPP restored the Chief Justice and raised flag on his residence. Referring to his seven visits to China, he said he undertook those visits in line with the vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
The President said during his recent visit to Pakistan, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met all the hopes and aspirations of Pakistanis. China agreed to set up all the hydel projects that Pakistan wanted and these will generate power equivalent to 50,000 megawatts, he added.