President Asif Ali Zardari addresses the second Golden Panda Awards International Cultural Forum
VEHARI:
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday predicted that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would return to power in the next term and party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would become prime minister with a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Speaking at a dinner hosted at Shafqat Palace by advisor to former Prime Minister Nawab Shehryar Khan and Nawab Shehzad Khan, Zardari said the nation was once again looking towards democratic continuity, political stability and experienced leadership.
“PPP policy revolves around strengthening democratic institutions, providing economic assistance to ordinary citizens and protecting the federation,” he told the assembly. “The party has always sought constitutional and democratic solutions to national challenges.”
The dinner reception was attended by political and social leaders, traders, lawyers and party activists. Zardari also held separate meetings with local traders, lawyers and political and social figures, discussing regional and national issues, development priorities and public concerns.
He praised Nawab Shehryar Khan for his long service to the PPP, describing him as a reliable and committed political ally, and praised Nawab Shehzad Khan for organizing the rally, mobilizing workers and supporting the party’s activities.
In a major announcement, Nawab Shehzad Khan revealed plans to set up a free private university in Vehari at a cost of Rs 1 billion on a 10-acre campus. Zardari welcomed the initiative, ordering that the university be named after Nawab Shehzad Khan’s late mother, presenting it as a memorial that would promote education and research in the region.
He expressed hope that the institution would play a key role in providing students with high quality education and modern skills.
During his meeting, the President highlighted the importance of democratic traditions, political dialogue and constitutional supremacy, emphasizing that political tolerance, institutional harmony and respect for the rule of law are essential to national progress.
Punjab Governor Salim Haider Khan, former federal minister Nadeem Afzal Chan and former governor Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood accompanied the President. Extraordinary security measures were in place throughout the visit.
