NAWAZ SHARIF TRYING TO PIT GOVERNMENT AGAINST ARMY. SAYS ZARDARI

NAUDERO: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday called upon political forces to work for strengthening the country’s institutions and refrain from inciting clash of institutions.

“There is no single country in the world which survived or achieved progress after its institutions, including the army, were damaged. Do not speak against institutions. Do not talk about breaking them,” President Zardari said in a speech at a gathering of PPP workers on the occasion of the 58th birth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto.

The President was critical of some political forces for speaking against the national institutions, advising them to think of the nation instead of their personal interests.

“Some imprudent politicians want to divide the army’s officers and Jawans. It will have dangerous consequences,” he warned.

Mr.Zardari said national institutions, including the Army, were fighting against the mindset which had so far killed thousands of people, including Benazir Bhutto.

President Zardari criticised PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif for questioning the role of institutions and trying to pit the government against the army.

“He (Nawaz) wants the politics of Gen. Zia-ul-Haq,” he remarked, claiming that the “mindset which took the life of Benazir Bhutto is on the retreat”.

The President said some “political actors” were also disturbed over the government’s policy of reconciliation as “we allied with MQM, PML-Q and others” to strengthen democracy.

DENTAL COLLEGE: President Zardari later inaugurated the Aseefa Dental College, Larkana. The building has been constructed at a cost of Rs:160 million. It is a subsidiary of Larkana’s Benazir Bhutto Medical University. Cases will begin in September.

As many as 50 students will be granted admission on the basis of merit. This is the first dental college in northern Sindh. Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari was also present on the occasion.

BLOOD DONATION: The President donated blood here at Naudero House on Tuesday to mark the 58th birthday of Benazir Bhutto. Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, the President’s daughter, and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah were present during the blood donation. The President urged workers of the People’s Party to donate blood by way of homage to Benazir Bhutto and for helping soldiers “who are valiantly fighting against militants”.

Farhatullah Babar, a spokesman for the President, said that every year a large number of blood donation camps are set up across the country and PPP workers donate blood. Last year in Punjab alone, Mr. Babar recalled, more than 80 camps were set up.