RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Peoples Party leader and President of the Progressive Welfare Organisation, Muhammad Aamir Siddiqui, has paid tribute to President Asif Ali Zardari on his 71st birthday, describing him as a symbol of public service, democratic struggle, political wisdom and sacrifices.
In a statement, Siddiqui said that the people were the real source of power and that President Zardari had devoted a major part of his life to serving the nation and strengthening democracy.
He said President Zardari’s personality reflected steadfastness, courage and tolerance. According to him, the challenges and trials that could break an ordinary person only made Zardari emerge stronger.
Siddiqui said President Zardari had proved that politics was not merely about power, but also about understanding the suffering of the people and becoming their voice. He said Zardari had always promoted the politics of reconciliation, tolerance and unity.
He noted that President Zardari had the honour of becoming the democratic president of Pakistan for a second time. For PPP workers, Siddiqui said, Zardari remained like a pillar, and under his leadership the party had continued to keep the flag of democracy high.
The PPP leader said President Zardari had always played an important role in strengthening Pakistan’s internal unity and external relations. He said the Benazir Income Support Programme was a gift for the sections of society that had long been ignored, adding that under the programme, millions of children were receiving better education and women had been empowered.
Siddiqui said the 18th Constitutional Amendment was passed during Zardari’s tenure, giving greater autonomy to the provinces. He added that his government also introduced a new NFC Award with consensus, through which the provinces received a larger share in the distribution of resources for the first time in history.
He said that despite difficult political circumstances, Zardari completed a five-year constitutional term, marking the first time in Pakistan’s history that an elected civilian government completed its tenure.
Siddiqui said that due to Zardari’s political strategy, the PPP was in government in Sindh and Balochistan. He also said the party succeeded in forming government after its success in the recent GB elections and would also succeed in the upcoming Kashmir elections.
He said President Zardari gave the slogans of “Pakistan Khappay” and reconciliation, giving the people courage that no force could break democracy or Pakistan.
Siddiqui said the courage, bravery and sacrifices of President Asif Ali Zardari deserved tribute.
