Sep 6, 2008
Zardari Strikes Islamabad
As Pakistan’s legislative assemblies elect the next president — likely to be Asif Zardari — moderate tremors struck northern Pakistan, including the capital, Islamabad, for the second consecutive day.
Earlier in the week, Bret Stephens of the Wall Street Journal described Zardari as “a Category 5 hurricane.”
The consensus apparently shared by God, the Journal, and a host of other papers is that Zardari is a natural disaster.
Very nice.
“Today Pakistan Peoples’ Party has completed a great roadblock…has gone over a great roadblock to the complete the democratic process. I congratulate the nation. I congratulate the parliaments (sic). It is the philosophy of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in which we believe, which says democracy is the best revenge. The revenge from the dictators in the form of democracy. She taught us how to live, she taught us how to do politics.
We all intend to follow the philosophies (sic) of PPP, the philosophy of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the democracies (sic ) that they gave their life(sic) for.
I reiterate the parliament is sovereign. This President shall be subservient to the parliament. And I would like history to remember the way democracy has managed to take a two-third majority and make a president with a two-third majority whereas a dictator in uniform could not perform. So, Democracy talks and every body hears and to those who would say that People’s Party of the Presidency would be controversial under our guardianship and under our chairmanship, I will say listen to democracy. Ninety Nine percent of the people have spoken. With these words, I will not take your time. Pakistan Zinda Bad”.
That was what Asif Zardari said at an Iftar at the PM HOUSE today.