JEDDAH/RIYADH: “Bhutto lives again” was the general reaction among Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s supporters across Saudi Arabia when they learned about the election of her widower and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali as the country’s president. He is elected less than nine months after she was killed in an attack.
Zardari’s landslide victory did not surprise Bhutto supporters, but was taken with a pinch of salt by others, especially those supporting Pakistan Muslim League (N) of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Riaz Bukhari, Jeddah-based president of Pakistan Peoples Community of Saudi Arabia, termed it as a historic day.
“Both democracy and the PPP have won in the process. The fact that parliamentarians have elected Zardari for the country’s top position indicates that it has been a democratic process, more so because he received votes not only from the PPP but also from other parties.”
According to Bukhari, Zardari’s election is a right move, as he is a person with long experience in Pakistani politics. Zardari is leaving the past behind and is looking forward to move ahead by forging unity among political forces in order to provide strength to democracy, he added.
“In fact, going by the challenges Pakistan is facing at this juncture, the country needs a man of Zardari’s stature. Terrorism, Kashmir and internal problems like judicial activism, inflation, price-rise and energy crisis are among the country’s challenges.
“Zardari needs to dilute his presidential authority and make the Parliament supreme,” said Naushad Ali Siddiqui, a Jeddah-based office executive and supporter of PML-N.
Amir Mohammed Khan of Pakistan Journalists’ Forum said Zardari’s election was in the true spirit of democracy. “He (Zardari) does not have a good record. He needs to be honest and transparent. We can only pray for him and the country. Pakistanis want their economic issues to be solved on priority.”
Ehsanul Haque, convener of Pakistan Repatriation Council, said that since Zardari has been democratically elected he should be able to perform well according to the wishes of the people.
He should solve the problem of Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh since the 1971 war and concentrate on some of the economic and institutional problems as well as on the unresolved Kashmir and Kalabagh Dam issues and seek their solution with the help of the Parliament. He should make the parliamentary institution powerful.
Mutahir Rizvi, secretary-general of Pakistan Executives Group, Jeddah, said Zardari’s election reflects the mandate of the people.
“He (Zardari) is a changed person after spending a long prison term. He should be able to do something (good) for the people by tackling issues like price-rise, food crisis and oil. He should solve the problems of the masses on priority.”
Shamshad Ali Siddiqui, president of the Pakistan Forum in Riyadh, said he was confident that Zardari would initiate some useful programs for the country’s overseas workers since it was a neglected group during the past regime.
Abdul Majid Mir, a popular photographer in the diplomatic circle, said that Zardari was the most suitable person as the country’s president.
“At a time when Pakistan is undergoing a critical period, Zardari has the personality, capability and wisdom to lead Pakistan to prosperity,” Mir said. Zardari’s popularity in tribal provinces in the country will help him bring peace and order in Pakistan, Mir added.
Ayaz Haider, a senior marketing executive who has been in the Kingdom for the past 17 years, said that people should not brand Zardari as a bad man. “We have to give him an opportunity to prove his salt,” he said, adding that given the opportunity he will justify the confidence reposed in him.
Tarek Butt, an office executive, said Zardari has to deliver the goods. “On our part, we wish to wait and watch.”
