PPP will not contest elections under PDM's flag: Zardari

The ex-president also ruled out talks with PTI Chairman Imran Khan

MULTAN (Dunya News) - Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Monday ruled out any possibility of contesting next general elections in alliance with Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) ruling coalition.

He also ruled out talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, saying the former prime minister is not a politician.

Talking to the media in Vehari, former president said just as the whole nation has to be fixed, the economy and military mindset have to be managed similarly the judiciary has to be handled. Talking about the judiciary he said that they are also from us.

He said the country was not a public limited company and could not end with bankruptcy, adding Japan went bankrupt 10 times and then recovered.

Speaking about taking over the government, Asif Zardari said that it was not that they did not had any idea of the situation was and in fact they knew about the economic breakdown.

Earlier, Zardari arrived in Multan from Islamabad on a private plane where he was received by local PPP leaders at the airport. Later he left from Multan airport for Vehari. Yousaf Raza Gillani and Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood were also with him.

Talking to the media, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari said that there were many questions in writing and speaking. He said that they knew that there were difficulties but they had to stop Imran Khan otherwise he would have sold the country.

Answering a question regarding Foreign Minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he said that Bilawal was young and gets angry quickly. He said that they could talk to politicians but not Imran Khan as PTI Chairman was not politician.

Former President further said that it was the job of the Interior Minister to arrest Imran Khan, the atmosphere of the election will be created now after which political decisions will be taken. He added that the elections will be held on time.

Zardari said that Bilawal had objections to the census to the extent of Sindh, adding that PPP was not part of the PDM but an ally of the government.

-- Bilawal also threatens to quit coalition government --

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had asked the federal government to fulfill its promises otherwise it would be difficult to keep ministries.

Addressing a ceremony in Karachi on Monday last, he said the Sindh government was providing every possible support to the flood-affectees whose houses and livelihood were destroyed by the recent flood mentioning the focus on agriculture was imperative to improve the economy.

He highlighted Sindh was the only province that was selling 40 Kg sugarcane at Rs4,000 and when the Pakistan Peoples Party came into power, the exports volume of Pakistan was significantly low but the former president Asif Ali Zardari focused a lot on the agricultural sector to provide relief to the farmers.

PPP chairman said the small farmers would be provided relief through the Benazir Income Support Porgram while mentioning the federal government should fulfill its pledges with the flood victims.

He added the floods destroyed crops of five million acres and the floods wreaked havoc for the agricultural economy.