By Saif R K
The energy crisis, fragile economy, price hike and law and order situation of the country could only be addressed by the reconciliation policy introduced by former President Asif Ali Zardari
Whenever I think about the PPP, I am reminded of great leaders like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari. Yes, we should also give due credit to Asif Ali Zardari. Even on the 48th foundation day of the PPP, Bilawal Bhutto urged his party’s jiyalas (workers) and sympathisers to support Asif Ali Zardari and the rest of the party’s leadership to fulfil Benazir’s vision for a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Pakistan.
The PPP is the pioneer of democracy in Pakistan. It not only gave democracy to the country but gave a constitution too. Successive governments from this party initiated all mega projects in our country, including the mother of all projects: the nuclear programme. It was the PPP that mobilised the silent majority of Pakistan to take its fate into its own hands. Pakistan has suffered throughout its history due to the dark shadows of dictatorship lengthening time and again on its polity. Just 11 years after its birth, the first military coup was hatched to snatch the right of the people to choose their own government. During the long dark night that ensued, the PPP launched a campaign against dictatorship for the first time in the history of this region. When finally successful in 1971, the PPP paved the way for people to participate in the governance of the state, under the fundamental principle of democracy: to have a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
But pro-dictatorship forces colluded with the military and international powers to derail our democracy. The PPP’s government was deposed in a military coup by General Ziaul Haq, who deposed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, put him behind bars and then executed him. The PPP, though, made no compromise on democracy and the fundamental rights of the people. Benazir Bhutto led the democratic movement for fundamental rights and brought back democracy and prosperity to the country in 1988. The military and its puppets again conspired to remove the PPP from power to install Nawaz Sharif. In the 1990s, these puppets twice violated the Constitution and did not let PPP governments complete their terms. Then yet another military coup on October 12, 1999 placed General Musharraf in power with whom the PPP fought for nine years. The PPP was the only party that opposed the unconstitutional Musharraf regime while almost all other parties directly or indirectly supported the dictatorship. No Musharraf bashing was done by them even though his presidency was unconstitutional. However, a democratically elected president from the PPP (2008 to 2013) of the country was being hounded, even though he had a mandate to rule for five years.
There was a time when a section of the media and anti-democratic forces did nothing but spit venom against Asif Ali Zardari. Their assumptions and arguments always proved wrong and baseless. They spread their false propaganda through underhanded methods. Those who used to defame him should be ashamed about this character assassination. When he was in power, Zardari forgave his worst enemies. He announced general amnesty for all. He introduced and practically implemented his reconciliation policy: a new culture where there was no revenge, no hatred for anyone. According to fundamental principles of good governance, a head of state should work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.
Now, come to former President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari’s personality and assess his tenure. The energy crisis, fragile economy, price hike and law and order situation of the country could only be addressed by the reconciliation policy introduced by President Asif Ali Zardari. He took very tough decisions for the sake of the country and poor people of Pakistan. He forgave those who put him behind bars though he was innocent, tortured him brutally and eventually ruined his family. His act of forgiveness was aimed at prosperity and the development of our poor nation.
During his presidency he kept good relations with neighbouring countries to maintain peace in this region. The democracy that is in place is the fruit of his vision. He is a symbol of democracy and the federation. Though his party was the biggest victim of 2013’s election rigging, he vowed that his party and he were against anti-democratic forces and would protect democracy, working for a better, shining and true democratic Pakistan. Some people have been looking to derail democracy through marches, protests and rallies in the Red Zone of the capital of Pakistan. It was Zardari and his PPP who rescued democracy, supporting the current existing parliament and democratic process. We hardly see such goodwill gestures from the main opposition party. He is the reason why many Pakistanis say “Pakistan khapay” (long live).
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