Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that Asif Ali Zardari is poised to ascend to the presidency, highlighting anticipated robust cooperation between them. Reports from local news media affirm that all constituents of the ruling coalition, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), have pledged their support for Zardari in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for March 9.
This proclamation followed a gathering hosted by Shehbaz Sharif at his official residence in Islamabad, where representatives from allied parties convened for a dinner event. During the gathering, Sharif emphasized the collective commitment among allies to collaboratively address the challenges confronting Pakistan, as conveyed by Geo TV.
Furthermore, Sharif projected that Zardari's presidency would materialize within the next two to three days. Notably, Zardari holds the position of co-chairman within the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and previously served as the 11th President of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013.
Highlighting the coalition's electoral dominance, Shehbaz Sharif underscored their attainment of a two-thirds majority in the recent general elections, expressing confidence that this strength would manifest during the presidential polls.
Moreover, the Prime Minister voiced concerns regarding Pakistan's economic predicament, citing alarming figures such as the ballooning gas and electricity circular debt, which has soared to Rs 5 trillion, and the escalating liabilities of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) reaching Rs 825 billion, as reported by The Tribune. He also drew attention to the country's modest tax-to-GDP ratio of 9.8 percent, juxtaposed against higher ratios in other nations, alongside substantial losses incurred by state-owned enterprises and the government's reliance on loans to offset these deficits.
Meanwhile, Asif Ali Zardari echoed his commitment to supporting Shehbaz Sharif in addressing Pakistan's challenges. He emphasized the transformative potential of agricultural advancements in alleviating the nation's issues, as reported by The Tribune. Additionally, Zardari urged the ruling coalition to unite efforts toward enhancing Pakistan's prosperity and reinforcing its partnership with China.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman of PPP, articulated his belief in Zardari's capacity to bolster the federation once assuming the presidency of Pakistan.
