President Asif Ali Zardari said that prison is a true test of leadership, patience, and courage. He criticized political leaders who, according to him, lose patience after spending a short time behind bars.
He was addressing party workers in Jamaluddin Wali during a public gathering. A large number of supporters attended the event.
The president spoke openly about his own time in prison. He reminded the audience that he had spent 14 years in jail. He said he had faced hardships but never gave up.
“I have served long years in jail,” he said. “I used to say that after two years, jail itself starts asking about you. Today, there are leaders who have not even completed one and a half years and they have already started shouting.”
Without naming anyone, he appeared to criticize opposition figures who have recently complained about imprisonment. He suggested that real sacrifice requires endurance. He said some leaders only talk but cannot bear difficulties.
President Zardari stressed that democracy does not allow violence. He said there is no place for taking up weapons in a democratic system. “In democracy, it is nowhere written that you should pick up arms,” he stated.
He warned that violence only harms ordinary families. “In war, it is your own nephew or relative who will die,” he said. He urged political workers to remain peaceful and committed to democratic struggle.
The president also spoke about spirituality during imprisonment. He said jail should be seen as a place of reflection and worship. “One should pray in jail,” he said. “Prayers offered there are accepted.”
He expressed confidence in his party’s future. He said they would win across Pakistan and rebuild the country. He added that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would become the next prime minister.
His remarks come at a time of political tension in the country. Several leaders are facing legal cases and imprisonment. The president’s speech focused on patience, democracy, and political resilience.
