Zardari to wave goodbye to the presidency on Sunday

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

Pakistan’s first president to complete his five-year tenure without military interference prepares to step down on Sunday. Asif Ali Zardari is known for his unique political strategies that managed to keep diverse groups and political parties together for five years.

Although Zardari is often blamed for the financial crisis in Pakistan, political veterans still give him credit for playing a major role in strengthening democracy in the country. Zardari was not seen as a political figure until the assassination of his wife Benazir Bhutto. After Bhutto’s untimely death, Zardari took charge of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and soon became the President of Pakistan.

Mamnoon Hussain of PML-N is all set to replace Zardari. The comparison between both figures remains extremely interesting. During PPP-led government, the President was always considered to be more powerful than the premier while the incumbent government has a more authoritative Prime Minister in the shape of Nawaz Sharif.

The first prime minister of PPP-led government, Yusuf Raza Gillani was sacked by the Supreme Court for disregarding the judicial orders of urging Switzerland to reopen multi-million-dollar corruption cases against Zardari. However, official records state that Zardari shifted most his power to the prime minister in 2010. Although the PML-N criticizes Zardari for not resolving intricate national issues in time, the premier hosted a farewell dinner for the President on Thursday.

“Today we need reconciliation. Everyone needs it, so we have to work together under your leadership. We will strengthen our country. We cannot afford divisions. It is a question of our future generation. History will not forgive us if we do not realize the situation and the threats (Pakistan faces). We have to save Pakistan from future threats,” Zardari said in his farewell remarks.