Zardari, Altaf agree to set aside differences

KARACHI: Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain have agreed to set aside prevailing difference between the two sides during a telephonic conversation here on Thursday.

According to sources, the two leaders agreed that the country needed unity and harmony more than ever in the history. We should demonstrate unity and brotherhood by setting aside differences between us, they were quoted as saying during the conversation.

The overall political situation in the country, global affairs and matters of mutual interest were also discussed between the two leaders.

Meanwhile, the PPP co-chairman also telephoned Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali and extended an invitation for him to attend an Iftar dinner on Friday.

Zardari has also invited leaders belonging to different political parties to attend the Friday’s dinner.

Earlier in the day, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira defended comments made by party co-chairman Zardari in a fiery speech which was received as highly critical of the armed forces.

The former president, in his address to party workers and office bearers earlier in the week, had warned against character assassination of the PPP, saying if they started doing the same then no one would be spared including army generals.

Zardari went on to say that army chiefs come and go every three years but the political leadership is here to stay. "I don’t want the national institutions to weaken," he added.

“If attempts are made to agitate us then we’ll respond accordingly,” said the aggressive looking PPP co-chairman.