Nawaz wishes to form 'greater Punjab', Zardari alleges

KARACHI: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari Friday alleged that former PM Nawaz Sharif wishes to form "greater Punjab", which he explained as merger with Indian part of the region and do business with them.

In his interview to a private TV channel, the former president claimed that Nawaz-league never had the public mandate; they were always brought into power. "Same was the case in 2013," he added.

He said the former premier has over Rs10 billion worth business portfolio in Pakistan. When inquired, the PP co-chairman said it was the Federal Investigation Agency's duty to trace out Sharif's assets, not his.

Acknowledging Sharif as his political rival, Zardari denied he had a soft corner for him. "The companies Sharif is speaking of are public limited companies and their directors are some other people."

Criticising the disqualified prime minister, he said there is difference in running the country and business.

Hitting out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the PPP co-chairman said that PTI's politics is limited to central Punjab and it does not have any existence in Sindh or Balochistan.

"PTI will lose its turf in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," he said referring to the next elections, however, added that in central Punjab all the three parties will have a tough contest.

Zardari went on to say that Bilawal and Aseefa are the future of People's Party, not him.