Pakistan will never be a failed state: Asif Zardari  

Pakistan will never be a failed state: Asif Zardari  

KARACHI: (APP) Former president and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari Friday said that Pakistan would never be a failed state and his party would continue to support and strengthen democracy.

Addressing workers and supporters upon his return to the country here at Old Jinnah Terminal after a self-imposed exile of 18 months in Dubai, he said the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) would not let the democracy be derailed as it "believes in democratic struggle."

Zardari said the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz's mandate was accepted and the PPP handed over the reins of government to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz through a transitional democratic process.

Speaking about Kashmir, Zardari said despite issues on borders, Pakistan was safe and Kashmir would definitely become part of Pakistan. Hoisting of Pakistan's flag in Kashmir was the symbol of hope, he remarked.

He said it was time for Pakistan, China and the region to prosper.

"We started working on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for the betterment of future generations," he said adding that CPEC was the project for progress of the country.

The PPP Co-chairman stated that he had brought the message of hope for the people, democratic set-up and the country.

PPP senior leaders, including former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza  Gilani, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Rehman Malik, Qamar Zaman Kaira, and others were also present on the bulletproof truck.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has also welcomed the return of the former president to the country.

Various roads of the provincial metropolis, including the main artery Shahr-e-Faisal, were seen covered with welcoming banners and poles decorated with party colors.

Strict security measures were taken as about 5,000 policemen were deployed in the area to provide security cover on the occasion.