ISLAMABAD: Former US special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has reacted sharply over comments made by former President and PPP co-chairperson Asif Zardari in a recent interview, in which he called Khalilzad as paid servant and agent.
During the course of interview to a private TV channel, Asif Zardari when asked about former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, said he is a ‘paid servant’ and he is apparently hired by a lobby and he is an ‘agent’.
Taking to Twitter the other day, Zalmay Khalilzad wrote a lengthy post, calling Asif Zardari as Mr 10 percent and denying his allegations.
The term “Mr. 10%” is used for Asif Zardari’s alleged involvement in various corruption scandals. The nickname is said to have originated in the 1990s when he was accused of taking a 10% commission on government contracts and kickbacks. However, these allegations were never proven in a court of law. His supporters argue that he has never been convicted of any crime and that the nickname is merely a smear tactic used by his political rivals.
Zalmay Khalilzad wrote “I do not lobby for anyone or any country and am no one’s agent. I have shared my sincere concern about Pakistan’s triple crisis, which unfortunately is intensifying, and have suggested what should be done. “Mr. Ten Percent” should put country first and honor BB’s legacy, to preclude a meltdown that will hurt the 220 million people who – unlike him and others like him, do not own posh homes in several countries that they can run away to. The Pakistani establishment and the country’s political leaders must commit to rule of law, starting by not splitting the Supreme Court, but instead, implementing its decisions.”
Responding to Pakistan's "Mr. 10 Percent": I do not lobby for anyone or any country and am no one's agent. I have shared my sincere concern about Pakistan's triple crisis, which unfortunately is intensifying, and have suggested what should be done. "Mr. Ten Percent" should put…
— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) April 15, 2023
