International   

Victory is our destiny, says Zardari

Karachi: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said his party would win a “vast majority” in the country’s general election even as President Pervez Musharraf voiced his commitment for “political reconciliation” and willingness to work with “everyone”.

The PPP would form the next government, Mr. Zardari told reporters after voting in a polling station at Nawabshah in Sindh province.

Mr. Zardari, who assumed the leadership of the PPP after his wife and former Premier Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in December, said the party was set to secure a majority across the country. The PPP is widely expected to emerge the single largest group in the next Parliament. Mr. Zardari was driven to the polling station in an armoured car.

Ringed by dozens of private security personnel, he voted amidst tight security. Mr. Zardari, who had not exercised his franchise in almost a decade, said he was “very happy” to vote. He left the polling station after flashing a victory sign to cheering PPP supporters. He had warned on Sunday that the PPP would have no option but to take to the streets if the polls are rigged.

The spirit of Benazir Bhutto hung over the elections as supporters vowed to complete her mission through the ballot box. “Victory is our destiny and we will change the system. The people’s rule is bound to come,” Mr. Zardari said. Polling was briefly halted for Mr. Zardari to cast his vote at a primary school in the constituency where one of his sisters, Azra Pechuho, was a candidate for a National Assembly seat.

Hundreds of his supporters outside shouted “Long Live Bhutto”, “Benazir Bhutto is alive” and “We will seek revenge for Benazir through the vote.”

The town took on a festive look for the voting. Benazir’s supporters listened to her recorded speeches and party anthems, while vendors sold badges and party CDs.

Voting was brisk at polling stations and out of 1,000 registered voters, 400 had already cast their ballots where Mr. Zardari and his sister voted, local party sources said.

Gen. (Rtd) Musharraf, who recently said he would be a “father figure” to Pakistan’s new Prime Minister, on Monday expressed his commitment for “political reconciliation” and willingness to work with “everyone”.

Gen. Musharraf’s remarks came amid the possibility of the PPP and the PML-N sweeping the polls.

After casting his vote along with wife Sehba and mother Zarin at a polling station in the garrison city of Rawalpindi near here, Gen. Musharraf told reporters, “we would like to work with everyone.”

Gen. Musharraf said the winner of the polls will form the government. “I remain committed to the policy of political reconciliation in the larger interest of the country.” — Agencies

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Being an ally of Musharraf may cost Rashid dear
Victory is our destiny, says Zardari
A contradiction in world politics: Colombo
WMD draft bolsters “sexed-up” charge
Lobby for support in Cyprus
Hindraf leaders freed
Bilawal focus on studies

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu