Former President and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said that some good and bad incidents happened in COAS Gen (r) ‘Bajwa Doctrine’ tenure.
In an interview on a private TV Channel, the former president noted that former Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa never approached him for an extension. “He [Gen Bajwa] might have said it to the prime minister, but he never approached me,” he said, adding that both good and bad things occurred in Bajwa Doctrine.
Asif Ali Zardari noted he didn’t personally know newly-appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir. “I told Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to use his constitutional right. I told him we give you authority to use your constitutional power,” he added.
In response to a question on the appointment of new COAS, the former president said Gen Asim Munir was the first person on the list sent to the Prime Minister House. “And as per seniority, he was appointed,” he added.
However, the PPP Co-Chairman, said that he wanted to lobby for General Aamer, who was sixth on the list and was also his military secretary, but he could not because the situation was not good.
“Early elections”
Speaking of the PTI’s demand for early elections, the former president ruled out the possibility and said that it won’t “suit us or the country’s democracy”. Terming the possibility ‘immature’, he said: “I don’t think there is a possibility of the establishment forcing early elections.”
However, the PPP co-Chairman, said that the coalition parties would contest the election if the PTI succeeded in dissolving the provincial assemblies.
In response to a question regarding no-confidence motions, Asif Ali Zardari claimed that he had numbers in Punjab which were sufficient to throw out the PTI-led provincial government.
“Even in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), we have seats there. There are some friends who have gone astray we have to bring them back. We will bring a way in which they won’t have to resign,” he added.
Speaking of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Elahi, Asif Ali Zardari said that there was a distance between the two of them. “I made Elahi deputy prime minister and gave them 17 ministries. This time they opted out themselves. We have bigger choices than them now,” he added.
Remember that Former President of Pakistan and Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari camped in Lahore to concentrate on the party’s issues in Punjab and efforts to revitalize it for the next general elections as election fever grew.
According to media reports, the former president arrived in Lahore for a three-day tour intended to strengthen PPP’s position in the province.
Asif Ali Zardari is also anticipated to engage with the allies in formulating a plan to exercise political muscle against the PTI-PML-Q alliance’s grip on power in the province and mobilize support for the elections.
According to the latest reports He is also anticipated to speak with the President of Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
Read More : Former President Asif Ali Zardari to stay in Lahore in order to make a strategy for General Elections
