Zardari assures Nawaz Sharif of support for next 5 years

ISLAMABAD: Outgoing President Asif Ali Zardari made once again a conciliatory speech at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and stressed the need to continue the policy of reconciliation.

President Zardari went on to say that his party would work under the leadership of Mr Sharif to strengthen the country. He assured the prime minister of his support for the next five years and said “we will start politics when the next election is announced”.

He conceded that though PPP was not fully able to address the grievances of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite the announcement of Balochistan package and changing name of NWFP to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the process to resolve issues has started.

President Zardari said his government tried to remove fault lines in Pakistani politics, adding that restoration of 1973 Constitution was not possible without Nawaz Sharif’s help.

The president recalled the bitter memories of the Prime Minister House where his wife Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and their children were confined.

“I did not want to come here due to memories associated with Prime Minister House,” he said and added that he strengthened himself with the passage of time and translated his weakness into strength.