Zardari seeks NAB, electoral reforms before general elections

Islamabad: Former President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday categorically said that the fresh general elections in Pakistan will happen only after the electoral reforms and amendments in the NAB laws.

Addressing the media in Karachi, PPP co-Chairman Zardari said that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has his own thinking and has to follow what his party says. Zardari claimed that PML-N had agreed with him that the talk about the new army chief will get underway only after the electoral reforms are completed.

He added that they have to change laws before going to fresh elections so a selected never returns to power. He added that it doesn’t matter if it takes three or four months, but they have to ensure the policies are implemented, and the process is improved.

He disclosed that he had a discussion with PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif last night and explained to him to conduct the elections as soon as the electoral reforms are completed.

“I am listening and watching. I kept saying that these elections were rigged. Even the selected of that time didn’t listen,” Zardari said.

Speaking on the prevailing economic crisis, the former president said, “We will have problems until the IMF programme comes back on track.” He added that the new government requires some time to control the situation.

To a question, he responded that bureaucrats should be detached from NAB.

On a question regarding the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan, Zardari said it was good that the army remained neutral and expressed hope that it will continue to do so.

“I believe that this is the first time the army has become apolitical,” he added. To a question about Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, Zardari replied, “He has been sidelined.”

The former president said the problems could be solved by the elected representatives.

He ruled out that the US gave any threat to Imran Khan and declared it a political myth.