Zardari says Kayani’s extension strengthened Parliament

DUBAI: Former President and Co-Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari said that his government had become stronger after an extension was given to former Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani.

The former president was talking to Hamid Mir in Geo News program ‘Capital Talk’. “Extension strengthened me as well as the Parliament. Many people who were going home at that time had Musharraf’s mindset”, added Zardari, who served as the President from 2008 to 2013.

During the interview, Zardari said that he does not own any apartment in London.

To a question on the extension to present COAS General Raheel Sharif, he said that it was the prerogative of the present government and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif whether to give an extension or not.

Upon the subject of Dr Asim Hussain, he expressed hope that he will soon be able to walk free. He claimed that Dr Asim faced the brunt of the situation being a'soft target'.

"Democracy's evolution will be in parliament, not Supreme Court," commented Zardari on a question related to Panama Leaks case in the apex court.

"Imran wants to hit six in every shot," said Zardari. He said that the PTI chief has taken the matter of Panama leaks to the SC, but what will happen when the apex court's commission also failed to deliver results?

When Mir asked Zardari that why it is that Imran Khan praises Aitzaz Ahsan but criticises him, the PPP leader mockingly said that the PTI chief desires ‘prime-ministership’.

While responding to a question regarding Karachi’s garbage issue he said that residents of the city will hear good news soon.

“A contract has been made with a Chinese company and work will start soon”, said Zardari whose party has the ruling government in Sindh.