'Pak to face violence, may split if polls rigged'

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Agencies

Posted online: Sunday , February 17, 2008 at 03:13:46
Updated: Sunday , February 17, 2008 at 03:32:34

London, February 17: On the eve of parliamentary polls in Pakistan, PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari is 100 per cent confident of garnering a majority but warned President Pervez Musharraf-led government not to rig the election which will force him to launch massive street protests leading to the break-up of the nation.

"Up till now I've shown absolute patience. My wife (former Premier Benazir Bhutto) has been killed, yet I've calmed people down, stopped them protesting. I've called no strike. But I'm telling you, people are absolutely on the warpath. If the elections are rigged the situation will go out of my hands. We'll have no choice but to take to the streets," Zardari said in an interview to 'The Sunday Times' published.

Zardari was made co-Chairman of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) after Bhutto's assassination on December 27 last year.

Their son Bilawal, who is studying at Oxford, was named the Chairman of the party.

"I feel her (Bhutto's) spirit is with me and I won't let her down. But I fear they did not kill Benazir just to let us win... We've played our part responsibly. We've taken part in the elections rather than boycotted. Now it's up to them to give us a free run. People are angry, they are on the breadline, despite the 60 billion dollar windfall Musharraf has enjoyed over the past eight years.

"They want change and they want democracy. If we're allowed free and fair elections I'm 100 per cent sure we will get a majority," Zardari said, while warning that Pakistan would face massive violence which could lead to its break-up if the Musharraf government carries out alleged plans to rig or disrupt the polls.

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Lesson for India/Indians ! by Jayshree on 18 Feb 2008

We take peaceful existence granted, or close our eyes to harsh reality that we could be struggling for our lives one day, if the country continues to elect substandard people as political heads. See for yourself as their priority: quotas and quotas after 60 years which changes nothing except that a few underserving ones may benefit because of their quota of luck, plans for superuniversities in remotest of places without infrastructure when genuine faculty is difficult to find even in cities, many politicians have corruption and even murder charges which are ignored by Parliament ITSELF which is height of unlawful behaviour, and questions it's own legitimacy and lawful existence (sure the politcians will cry no no). A time may come when those who are NOT with our current politicians may like to break loose and opt for a really modern India. This too will entail bloodshed and turmoil, and this scenario seems somewhat similar to what is going on in Pakistan, though time scales seem different. Fortunately, time is on our side to take corrective action.

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Jiye Sindh by Jiye Sindh on 18 Feb 2008

Pakistan's division is long overdue, imminent and unavoidable. the sooner it happens the better it is for the civilized world Because The division(s) will help terrorists making factories to close down, or at least Sindhis will have their own a proud rightful separate nation

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My view by Venkat on 17 Feb 2008

If Zaradi keeps his threat, I am pretty sure Porkistan will break because terrorist General Musharaaf will never allow free and fair elections as long as he or the army control the levers of authority in Porkistan. I see Porkistan breaking up already.

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