Asif Ali Zardari returns to Pak

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ANI Karachi [Pakistan]
Last Updated : Dec 23 2016 | 6:28 PM IST

Former president Asif Ali Zardari, who had left the country in mid-2015 soon after accusing the military establishment of overstepping its domain, returned to Pakistan on Friday.

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the end of his self-imposed exile after a year and a half.

On his arrival at the old terminal in the provincial capital of Sindh, Zardari said the crowd reminded him of the day he was sent to Lahore by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

"I feel Bibi (Benazir Bhutto) is with us today, Shaheed Zulfiqar Bhutto is with us," he was quoted as saying by GeoNews while addressing his party workers gathered to welcome him.

The former PPP president also said that Pakistanis were depressed and there was a sense of hopelessness in the country.

"I am not giving such a message".

Emphasizing on the importance of democracy, he stated that it did not matter who was in power as there will come a day when public's voice will lead the country, adding that democracy would not be allowed to be derailed.

Speaking about the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the former PPP chief said this was geared towards our children and said that now was the time for Pakistan and China to prosper.

"Right now the CPEC concept has not been discussed with its architect. It is bigger than those who are discussing it," he said.

"Every time I go abroad, they make some new story. We will bring revolution in Parliament for democracy," he added.

Although there is no fixed schedule, but sources privy to the development said that PPP co-chairperson will leave for Larkana after a two-day-long stay in Karachi.

Later, he will visit his hometown in Benazirabad before attending the death anniversary of his spouse Benazir Bhutto on December 27.

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First Published: Dec 23 2016 | 6:16 PM IST

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