Zardari calls critics pranksters

KARACHI, Pakistan, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, fighting for political survival amid calls for his exit, hit out against critics, calling them "pranksters."

In a live telecast Wednesday to his ruling Pakistan Peoples' Party, Zardari attacked those he claimed were conspiring against his party or trying to blackmail him and other leaders, the Daily Times reported.

"These pranksters should not (be allowed to) waste the time of the masses ... it is the constitutional right of the democratically elected government to complete its five-year term," said the president, who is also the party chairman.

Zardari came to power last year after the assassination of his wife, former Prime Minster Benazir Bhutto, in December 2007. Ever since, he has been under political pressure as he is seen as a weak leader in a country where even the all-powerful military faces a tough time putting down growing militant violence and insurgency. The country also faces a severe economic crisis.

In the latest scandal, some officials said many Pakistanis, including politicians in Zardari's party, benefited from an amnesty that dismissed past corruption allegations including money laundering and misuse of authority. Many of those named, however, denied making use of the amnesty decree.

In his address, Zardari vowed to continue the war on terror and said terrorism is a "murderous cancer for the country," Daily Times reported.

"We are here because we have a mandate … We will foil all attempts of political actors," Dawn newspaper quoted Zardari as saying.