International

Zardari: no action against Musharraf

New York: Claiming there was no agreement with the former President, Pervez Musharraf, which led to his resignation, Pakistan’s ruling PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari has said his party was not interested in taking any action against him.

The day retired General Musharraf stepped down was “a momentous day, especially for forces like us who believe democracy is the best revenge,” Mr. Zardari told Newsweek magazine. When asked whether his party had reached an agreement with General Musharraf before he resigned, Mr. Zardari said: “No. He hasn’t got anything yet. There is an understanding that we are not looking to [get] into any messy fights.” He said Parliament would decide whether General Musharraf would get immunity from future prosecution. “Everybody knows the Pakistan People’s Party’s position is that we are not into revenge,” he added. Mr. Zardari, however, said General Musharraf was “welcome to stay” in Pakistan and a future President could also grant him pardon.

When asked if he would like to see General Musharraf exiled, he said: “Personally, I would like him to be around and see us flourish in Pakistan and make Pakistan a success story. I think that would be the revenge of Benazir Bhutto.” To a question whether the new President should give up the power to dissolve Parliament, he said: “We need to have a debate in Parliament and see how strong we want the future President and how strong we want to make our PM. I think the President should not have the power to dissolve the Assembly.” — PTI

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