Zardari sees anti-PPP propaganda

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said Thursday that some people were trying to benefit from the present situation in the country but the government would not let them succeed.

The president was addressing PPP MNAs and said that baseless propaganda was being carried out against the PPP. He said that the party would continue to work towards strengthening democratic intuitions and solving the problems faced by people.

Zardari added the government would continue its policy of reconciliation and would not let those succeed who are trying to create fissures in the coalition.

APP adds: President Asif Ali Zardari said that when the history is written it would be recorded that a Government which did not have even simple majority in the Parliament was able to achieve what other governments with even two-third majority could not achieve during their tenure.

He said that despite undue criticism and baseless propaganda against the party and its leadership, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would continue with its forward march towards strengthening the democratic institutions of the country and addressing the real problems of the people facing all odds.

Briefing the journalists Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that President Zardari said the party would not be detracted from pursuing its forward looking democratic agenda no matter what the odds or opposition to it.

Those who were present during the meeting included among others Syed Khursheed Shah, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Farzana Raja,Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, Syed Naveed Qamar,Tasneem Ahmed Qureshi, Sherry Rehman, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Rukhsana Bangash, Fouzia Habib, Fouzia Wahab and the Spokesperson to the President.

The President said that some people tended to blame the present Government for the mistakes and ills of the past. However, the thoughtless reversal of some economic policies of the PPP like the IPPs (Independent Power Producers) has led to economic decline, he said.

Recounting various achievements of the present government, the President said that among other important steps taken by the Government, we have emphasized upon enhancing regional trade and entering into currency swap agreements as a vehicle to boost regional trade.

He said that flow of foreign remittances during the present government had increased from 6 billion to 11 billion dollars and record exports of 25 billion dollars were achieved.

The President said that tax revenue has also substantially increased and for the first time in the history of the country, the tax-net has also been broadened.

He said that 18th Amendment was a major political achievement of the present government where the provinces have control over their own natural resources.

The President said that the Party from the very beginning pursued the path of reconciliation and not the confrontational course to overcome the challenges facing the country because we believe that the problems are too big to be resolved by any one party.

He said that some people due to their short-sighted approaches and for their own narrow interests were trying to capitalize on the existing precarious situation in the country when the Government was all busy in providing relief to the flood stricken people and was trying to overcome economic challenges and the energy shortage.

However, we would not let them succeed in their bid to detract us and to create rifts among our coalition partners, he added.

Discussing current political situation and coalition matters with the coalition partners, the President referred to the decisions by PML (Q) and MQM, to continue supporting the PPP Government and said that it will strengthen reconciliation and political stability in the country.

"We cannot afford political instability at this critical time when our more than eight million people were suffering from the havocs of natural calamity and millions were suffering due to jolted economy and other crisis like power shortage", Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar quoted the President as saying.

The President also briefed the Party members about various steps being taken by the Government to mitigate suffering of the people and overcome energy shortages in the country.

The President said that as a democratic Party the PPP respected the opposition and welcomed suggestions and constructive criticism as the essence of democracy.

He said that the Party believes in taking on board all the political forces on matters of national interest and would continue with its reconciliation policies during all circumstances.

The President appreciated the Prime Minister for taking onboard all political parties by holding APCs whenever confronted with a challenging situation.

"We have always urged all the political forces of the country, be that floods, energy shortage or any other challenge, to contribute their share in overcoming challenges facing the country," he said.

Discussing the overall situation in the country, especially improved law and order situation in Karachi, the President briefed the members about various steps that were taken by the Party to stabilize situation in the economic hub of the country.

The later part of the luncheon meeting turned into an interactive session where the Party members expressed their opinion on different issues.

The President appreciated their suggestions and advised them to reach out to the people in their effort to have first hand knowledge of their real issues and for early redressal.