Vehari, Pakistan — Web Desk: President Asif Ali Zardari has renewed his criticism of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, saying political leadership requires endurance and resilience, and those unable to cope with pressure should consider other pursuits.
Speaking at a public event in Vehari, Zardari said complaints emerging after 18 months in prison reflected a lack of political stamina. “Politics is not an easy field. If you cannot endure, choose an easier profession,” he said, referring indirectly to Khan. He added that political leaders must accept hardship as part of public life.
Zardari also stressed that strengthening farmers and modernizing agriculture are essential for Pakistan’s economic recovery, calling agriculture the country’s only sustainable solution to long-term economic challenges. He said Pakistan possesses abundant natural resources but lacks consistent policy direction and strategic thinking.
The president highlighted governance and institutional reforms, noting that he had tripled judges’ salaries to strengthen the judiciary and emphasizing the need for political maturity and flexibility to stabilize the country. He reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position on Kashmir, calling it the country’s “jugular vein” and rejecting any compromise on the disputed territory.
Zardari said Pakistan had lost critical time due to political instability, warning that a year of stagnation could set the country back a decade. He recalled his own imprisonment for 14 years, saying personal hardship was part of political life and leaders must endure it.
The remarks come amid ongoing political tensions between the ruling coalition and the PTI, with governance, economic reforms, and political accountability dominating Pakistan’s political discourse.
