Islamabad: Former Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari arrived home on Friday ending an 18-month self-imposed exile to a resounding welcome by supporters.
The announcement regarding his return was made by his son, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto, who said doctors had allowed his father to travel to Pakistan.
Upon Mr Zardari’s arrival, Bilawal Bhutto posted a message on Twitter, stating that “countdown for Raiwind (Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif) starts from today.”
The PPP chairman had announced earlier that the party will launch an “anti-government drive” on December 27 if his four demands were not met.
The four demands of the PPP are formation of a parliamentary committee on national security, adoption of a PPP-drafted bill on Panama leaks probe, implementation of the decision of a multi-party conference chaired by Mr Zardari on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and appointment of a
full-time foreign minister.
Addressing a rally on his return, Mr Zardari criticised the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) rulers saying leaders were only focused on developing roads and bridges.
“We have become a necessity for China. This is beneficial for the country,” said the former president. He said: “I have brought a message of hope, not a programme of disappointment. I hope the PPP will once again rise to the helm of affairs in Pakistan.”
