Anger as Pakistani president addresses British rally

There is no mystery as to why countries such as Pakistan suffer from all kinds of ills; bad leadership, or no leadership at all. This is why the people have always been oppressed, live in poverty and constant turmoil, and why they will continue to do so.

People from these third world countries, as well as those from many potentially rich countries such as Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba and Brazil; to name a few from the Western Hemisphere, either elect dictators, corrupt leaders or both, and allow those who forcefully seize power to stay in power. TGO

Refer to story below. Source: Associated Press

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP) – Hundreds of protestors gathered to criticise President Asif Ali Zardari at a rally for British Pakistanis Saturday while millions struggled in the aftermath of floods back home.

Zardari defended his trip to Britain despite Pakistan’s worst-ever floods at an event for some 3,000 people in Birmingham, central England, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) members and leading figures in the British Pakistani community.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the venue, some holding placards reading “1000s dying, president is holidaying” and “Are the Zardaris enjoying England while Pakistan drowns?”

And police said one man was escorted from the hall after a shoe was thrown at Zardari, while adding it did not land close to him. It has not yet been decided whether to press charges, a spokeswoman for the local force said.

Although journalists were barred from the event, a PPP spokesman told AFP afterwards that Zardari had defended his handling of the flooding and asked attendees to donate to the appeal to help victims.

“He was saying that the prime minister is the chief executive because he’s got all the powers, the Senate was in session, all the chief ministers were there, he was in touch with them over the phone,” said Waheed Rasab, the PPP’s coordinator for Britain.

He added that although many people had not wanted Zardari to make the trip, the president had managed to build bridges with British Prime Minister David Cameron in a row over comments made on Pakistan’s handling of terrorism.

“There were many people who did not want him to clarify the misunderstanding of Mr Cameron,” Rasab said.

“Now they have met, they have overcome the difficulties, he’s sorted that misunderstanding and it will not happen again”.

Cameron triggered a diplomatic spat by suggesting that elements in Pakistan were promoting the “export of terror” during a recent visit to regional arch-rival India.

Some 15 million people have been affected by the catastrophic floods in Pakistan and the UN estimates that around 1,600 have been killed.

In Birmingham, Mohammed Khalil, a local official from the Tehreek-e-Insaf party headed by former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan, was among those protesting against Zardari.

“His own people are dying for food, there’s calamity there,” he told AFP.

“He should be there organising for his own people. Instead he’s here with so many people. The government is paying all the expense for that. That money should be spent on the people of Pakistan, not on himself.”

Zardari was accompanied in Birmingham by his daughter, Asifa Zardari Bhutto, and ministers.

His son Bilawal, the 21-year-old PPP chairman, had also been expected to attend but instead opened a donation point for flood victims at the Pakistan High Commission in London.

The recent Oxford University graduate vehemently defended his father’s visit to Europe during that event.

“He’s doing the best he can and what he thinks is best to help the people of Pakistan,” Bhutto Zardari said.

“His personal presence in Pakistan would not be able to raise this much money,” he added, stressing that multi-million dollar donations had been made by France, Britain and Abu Dhabi on the way.

“The floodwaters have devastated the lives of a people who have already suffered the most at the hands of terrorists.

“This is not a time to play politics. We need to do whatever is necessary to help our brothers and sisters in Pakistan.”