‘Hitler ko bhi public support thi’, says Zardari about Khan’s popularity

Former President and Pakistan People’s Pakistan (PPP) Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari has talked about the current political crisis in the country in a wide-ranging interview with Nasim Zehra.

In the interview, he ruled out the possibility of talks with the PTI Chief Imran Khan. At one point, he called him “too arrogant” for that.

Zardari again raised questions about Imran’s perception as a politician. When asked about public support towards Khan, he said that even Adolf Hitler had public support when he made the Nazi party.

آصف علی زرداری نے عمران خان کو سیاستدان ماننے سے انکار کردیا@NasimZehra @24NewsHD @AAliZardari@GovtofPakistan @PTIofficial @pmln_org @MediaCellPPP #PMLN #PTI #PPP #elections2022 #LongMarch pic.twitter.com/UQFLtMZeBB

— NasimZehra@Pakistan (@NasimZehra_at8) March 5, 2023

When asked about Khan’s refusal to show up at court hearings, Zardari disclosed the difficulties he had to face while he was under the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) during Imran Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister (PM).

The former president took a jibe at the PTI head, stating that he always appeared in court whenever he was summoned.

“NAB se mera jhagrah tab hua, jab unhy ne mujhe Eid ki namaz bhi nahin parrhne di” (My fight with NAB started only when they didn’t let me offer Eid prayer).

He said, “Later, I went to court and complained to them, then they shifted me to Adiala Jail.”

عمران خان کی حکومت میں تین ماہ تک مجھے نیب کی حراست میں رکھا گیا اور اس دوران عید آگئ تو انہوں نے مجھے عید کی نماز بھی نہیں پڑھنے دی تو پھر عیدکی چھٹیوں کے بعد جب مجھے عدالت لےجایاگیاتومیں نے عدالت سےکہا کہ یہ بدتمیزلوگ ہیں انہوں نے مجھے عیدکی نمازبھی نہیں پڑھنےدی توآپ مجھے جیل… pic.twitter.com/RAnaIkDSKv

— Ch Mubeen Gujjar (@CMMobeen) March 5, 2023

Talking about the economy, Zardari believed that borrowing money from countries won’t help Pakistan unless the nation expands its resources and stand on its own feet.

مانگے تانگے سے ملک نہیں چل سکتا ہمیں اپنے وسائل بڑھانا اور اپنے پیروں پر کھڑا ہونا ہوگا ، آصف زرداری@NasimZehra @24NewsHD @AAliZardari@GovtofPakistan @PTIofficial @pmln_org @MediaCellPPP #PMLN #PTI #PPP #elections2022 #LongMarch pic.twitter.com/I4eFk78YRh

— NasimZehra@Pakistan (@NasimZehra_at8) March 5, 2023

Zardari also said that PPP will not boycott the elections if they take place however it’s a “dangerous mode”.

مشکل حالات ہیں لیکن اگر الیکشن ہوتے ہیں تو ہم الیکشن میں جائیں گے ، آصف زرداری@NasimZehra @24NewsHD @AAliZardari@GovtofPakistan @PTIofficial @pmln_org @MediaCellPPP #PMLN #PTI #PPP #elections2022 #LongMarch pic.twitter.com/nDYWSA3g6f

— NasimZehra@Pakistan (@NasimZehra_at8) March 5, 2023

He also admitted that there is a law and order problem and lack of money but added that the “Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is an independent body and everybody will have to follow their instructions.”

He also revealed that discussions with PM Shehbaz haven’t taken place yet over this matter.

وزیراعظم سے ملاقات میں الیکشن پر بات ہی نہیں ہوئی ، آصف زرداری@NasimZehra @24NewsHD @AAliZardari@GovtofPakistan @PTIofficial @pmln_org @MediaCellPPP #PMLN #PTI #PPP #elections2022 #LongMarch pic.twitter.com/kWVBdaMs0e

— NasimZehra@Pakistan (@NasimZehra_at8) March 5, 2023