President Asif Ali Zardari Addresses Second Golden Panda Awards International Cultural Forum
VEHARI:
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday predicted that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would return to power in the next term, with party president Bilawal Bhutto Zardari becoming prime minister with a two-thirds majority in parliament.
At a dinner hosted at Shafqat Palace by former advisor to Prime Minister Nawab Shehryar Khan and Nawab Shehzad Khan, Zardari said the nation was once again seeking democratic continuity, political stability and experienced leadership.
“PPP policy revolves around strengthening democratic institutions, providing economic aid to ordinary citizens and protecting the federation,” he told the meeting. “The party has constantly sought constitutional and democratic solutions to national challenges.”
The dinner was attended by political and social leaders, merchants, lawyers and party workers. Zardari also held separate meetings with local merchants, lawyers and political and social figures, discussing regional and national issues, development priorities and public concerns.
He praised Nawab Shehryar Khan for his long-standing service to the PPP, describing him as a reliable and committed political ally, and praised Nawab Shehzad Khan for organizing the meeting, mobilizing workers and supporting the party’s activities.
In a major announcement, Nawab Shehzad Khan revealed plans to set up a private free university in Vehari at a cost of Rs 1 billion on a 10-acre campus. Zardari welcomed the initiative and ordered that the university be named after Nawab Shehzad Khan’s late mother, framing it as a monument that would promote education and research in the region.
He expressed hope that the institution would play a key role in providing students with high-quality education and modern skills.
During their talks, the president emphasized the importance of democratic traditions, political dialogue and constitutional supremacy, highlighting that political tolerance, institutional harmony and compliance with the rule of law are essential for national progress.
Punjab Governor Salim Haider Khan, former federal minister Nadeem Afzal Chan and former governor Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood accompanied the president. Extraordinary security measures were implemented throughout the visit.
