Islamabad, Oct 26 (TNS): PPP’ senior leader and Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior Senator A. Rehman Malik has expressed his deep concerns over the rapidly deteriorating health of former President Asif Ali Zardari and has urged the government to provide him complete health facilities per the advice of his own doctor either in country or abroad as per his wish.
He said that being unopposed democratically elected President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari does not deserve this kind of treatment by government and it is bringing bad name to the country to put behind the bar an ailing former President of the country for unproved charges and that during the trial.
He said “I call upon every legislator, member of parliament and cabinet minister to think for necessary amendments into law to ensure the rule of law and to stop political victimization rather to fade our image worldwide for imprisoning our leaders”. He said it is the need of hour to take and enhance the measures to implement the rule of law rather to adopt the carrot and stick law policy to rule the country and suppress the opposition.
Senator Rehman Malik said that Imran khan should think himself as human being and Prime Minister of the country while dealing with his political opponents and shall keep in mind that this time shall too pass as power and rule do not last forever adding that had Imran Khan being at his place, President Zardari would have treated him differently in a very parliamentary and democratic way. He said that the medical report of President Asif Ali Zardari being submitted to the Senate Standing Committee on Interior by the Jail authorities shows that his health is going down day by day hence he should continue to be treated in the hospital and shall be allowed to get his treatment as per his choice from his old doctor in Dubai. He added that it is highly worrying for the family, friends and PPP’s workers that Asif Ali Zardari’s platelets are dropping rapidly which could be life threatening for him.
Senator Rehman Malik further said that it is in the knowledge of the Prime Minister that he was kept in jail without having been convicted during previous regimes and his health went down during those 12 years in the jails of Pakistan adding that Prime Minister must know the alleged crime occurrence is Karachi and his trial is being conducted in Islamabad which is unjustified and a clear victimization. He said that such decisions are not good for the country. He questioned that is there any under trial accused taken from other province to Sindh, No. he said that the circle of time does not stop, if today is our, tomorrow will be your turn as the situation does not remain the same but I am sure if President Asif Ali Zardari was at place of Imran Khan, he would have dealt him with respect and would have not curbed his legitimate right of proper treatment. He added that Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari had held the highest constitutional positions of the country hence they should not be humiliated for the reason to be political opponents. He urged that let they both be tried in the court without keeping them in jail like many other politicians and dignitaries in Pakistan including PM Imran Khan himself and many ministers of his cabinet are being tried in the terrorist court of Islamabad and all of them are granted bails.
He said “President Asif Ali Zardari had decided during his time not to victimize his opponents and I as then Interior Minister had instruction to deal nicely with all political opponents including Imran Khan and there was not a single political prisoner during PPP era”. He said that business as usual was running better than now and value of Pakistani Rupee was maintained and was not let be more than Rs 90.
Senator Rehman Malik said that President Asif Ali Zardari ran the country by taking his opposition in confidence and collective wisdom though we were criticised for keeping MQM as political ally accepting that MQM is a political power of the country which is proved from the fact that MQM is part of PTI’s government which has in fact vindicated PPP position. He said that Mr. Imran Khan must be recalling that President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Yousaf Raza Gilani invited him for his views before launching the Swat operation and it was launched with the wisdom of all political parties in which Pakistan Army under then COAS Ashfaq Pervez Kayani successfully cleared the area from terrorists.
Senator A. Rehman Malik said that the government should not treat the under trial prisoners like convicted and we as nation must know the simple allegation of any magnitude or registration of a case does not declare the accused as convict. He said that PM Imran Khan must realize that country is passing through very crucial stage especially in wake of Indian aggression on boarders and unfinished agenda of Kashmir and uncertain situation in Afghanistan adding that this situation warrants a collective wisdom and national unity. He added that let the law of the accountability take its own course across the board and not one sided but let our political opponents face the trial without caging them. He said we must not forget that sword of FATF is continuously hanging on our head which can be detrimental to our already fragile economy.
Senator A. Rehman Malik urged the Prime Minister to immediately call All Parties Conference with leaders of all political party and place the Economic and security situation of the country before them and move forward with collective strategy and political consensus which is need of the time. He added if it is not done, he foresees that PM Khan is heading towards blind end therefore rather to be pushed into a blind end create political harmony rather political polarization in the country. He said that PM Imran Khan needs political support to pull the country out of the crises as alone he cannot pull the country out of the grave crises. He said that he has dealt the worst law and order situation as Interior Minister and he managed it with support of all the political parties under the guidance of then President Asif Ali Zardari and the PM Khan should follow his model.
Senator A. Rehman Malik advised PM Imran Khan to free all the political prisoners pending their trial and let the court decide their fate and not the Investigating officers and media trial. He said that time and power belongs to none but to Allah and PM Khan has a chance to create atmosphere of National harmony, love and happiness for the prosperity of the country.
He said that he is jolting these facts as a Pakistani citizen and not as a leader of major party as we need to work for Pakistan and for the benefit of a common man. He advised PM Khan to extend his hand sincerely to the opposition and then work with collect efforts and he will see that how easy it will be to get out of all these crises.
