Islamabad
\nPakistan Peoples Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Friday insisted that he would not betray the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) \u2014 the key ally of the ruling coalition government.
\nZardari made the remarks in the backdrop of reports circulating on social media that the PPP is \u201cnot happy\u201d with the policies of the coalition government and will part ways with the ruling alliance \u2014 under the umbrella of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) \u2014 ahead of the upcoming elections.
\nSources privy to the development said that the Bilawal-led party wanted to reclaim Punjab \u2014 once the stronghold of the PPP.
\nAddressing a joint press conference flanked by All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) leader Gohar Ejaz in Lahore, the former president said, \u201cNeither deceived anyone nor will betray the PML-N.\u201d
\nStressing the need for joint efforts for a \u201cbetter future\u201d for the country, the PPP stalwart urged all the political parties to sign a charter of economy. \u201cI am ready to sign a charter of economy. The charter of economy is need of the hour,\u201d he added.
\nThe former president said that they should work jointly for the progress of the country. Referring to the crippling economy of a cash-strapped nation, Zardari said that everyone will suffer if Pakistan is affected.
\nThe country needs trade opportunities instead of aid, he added. \u201cWe should promote trade to improve [the country\u2019s] economy.\u201d
\nPakistan has barely enough currency reserves to cover one month\u2019s imports. It had hoped to have $1.1 billion of the funds released in November \u2014 but the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has insisted on a number of conditions before it makes any more disbursements.
\nWith time for only one last IMF board review before the end of the $6.5 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), Pakistan was expected to present a budget in line with programme objectives, restore the proper functioning of the FX market, and close the $6 billion gap ahead of the board review.
\nThe former president said that they will have to unite for a better future for the country, adding that the people invest abroad due to \u201cinsecurity\u201d.
\n\u201cI had also asked the PTI chairman to sign the charter of economy in parliament,\u201d he recalled.
\nResponding to a question, the PPP leader said that work on Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline will be started soon.
\nIt is pertinent to mention here that the gas pipeline project was to be completed by December 2014, and gas flow intake was to start from January 2015 but Pakistan could not initiate the pipeline from the Iranian border to Nawabshah due to the US sanctions imposed on Iran.
\nAddressing the presser, Zardari further said: \u201cThe country will progress if textile and finance ministers are from you [businessmen].\u201d
\nHe urged the traders to come forward and become part of the government.
\nTalking about his roadmap for the country\u2019s prosperity, Zardari suggested exporting sugar worth $2 billion and strengthening the industry. He also invited them to set up industries in Sindh.<\/p>\n
Bilawal showers praise on PM Shehbaz
\nEarlier today, PPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari commended the performance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying that he is not a premier of the PML-N but more of the PPP.
\nSpeaking in the National Assembly today, Bilawal said: \u201cIf we want to take the country out of its problems then we will have to work like the premier.\u201d
\nHe also stressed the need for further empowering the prime minister to steer the country out of the crisis.
\nHe thanked PM Shehbaz and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for providing relief to the flood affectees in the budget proposals.
\n\u201cOur politics is not of abusing but positivity,\u201d the PPP chairman said, adding, \u201cFor everyone he is Dar but for me, he is Dar uncle.\u201d
\nBerating PTI chairman Imran Khan, he said that the deposed prime minister\u2019s lies harmed the country internationally.
\n\u201cThe politics of constant lies and blaming has damaged the reputation of the country,\u201d Bilawal added.
\nTalking about the May 9 riots, the foreign minister said that PTI\u2019s miscreants burnt the memorials of martyrs, adding that there is no such example in the world that someone has desecrated the memorials of his own martyrs.
\nBilawal said that he can\u2019t remain silent if someone attacks the memorial of martyrs. \u201cThe PPP stands with the Constitution and democracy.\u201d
\nThe PPP leader said that his party wanted democracy to work in the country.
\nThe spirit of the Charter of Democracy has to be upheld, he said, adding, \u201cWe have to present a road map for economic and political stability. We have to present a road map for the election as well.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad Pakistan Peoples Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Friday insisted that he would not betray the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) \u2014 the key ally of the ruling coalition government. Zardari made the remarks in the backdrop of reports circulating on social media that the PPP is \u201cnot happy\u201d with the policies of the coalition […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":129346,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[449],"class_list":{"0":"post-339576","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news","8":"tag-asif-ali-zardari"},"yoast_head":"\n