Pakistan People's Party co-Chairman and former President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari returned home on Friday, ending his 18-month self-imposed exile.

Zardari left the country after making his unforgettable 'tumhari eent say eent bajadengey [will destroy you]... you are here for three years and we will always be here' speech in June last year.

The PPP co-Chairman along with senior party leaders Rehman Malik and others reached Karachi by a chartered plane BTP-555. Scores of jubilant workers and supporters including women and children thronged the old terminal of Karachi Airport to welcome their leader amid dance and party songs.

In his speech here yesterday afternoon, the PPP co-chairman said: "When I left the country, my opponents said that Zardari would never come back. For them, I want to make it clear that we would be ultimately buried in Ghari Khuda Baksh, Larkana. "I have returned with a big hope, and a greater programme that you would come to know in my December 27 speech."

Acknowledging the efforts of armed forces and civilians, the former president said the country is quite safe now. Zardari also raised his famous 'Pakistan Khapy' slogan. He said it makes no difference to him which party is in power, and which would be leading the country in future.

"We would continue our democratic struggle," Zardari said, adding that his party would again come to power through the 2018 general elections. Zardari described the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the biggest opportunity.

Not only would the mega project benefit the people of the both friendly countries, it would also make a positive impact on the economies of the entire region, he added. "Sab pay bari. Countdown for Riawind starts from today," tweeted Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in an apparent warning to Pakistan Muslim League -N-led federal government.

The PPP senior leadership including Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sherry Rehman, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, former CM Qaim Ali Shah and others were also present at the airport to welcome Asif Zardari. NNI adds: "Let me make it clear to all political actors and guys on the back of horses that I have come back". Those who claimed I had escaped from the country can see me back here and I have come back with good news for the people of Pakistan," Zardari said.

He started his speech with a famous dialogue of PTV-famed compere Tariq Aziz, "Dekhti Aankhon Aur Suntay Kano Ko Mera Salaam Pohnchay" from a bomb proof truck.

Pakistan's boundaries are safe and protected and even the national flag of Pakistan has become a symbol of freedom movement for the people in Indian occupied Kashmir where the Kashmiris are fighting their battle with great courage and valour against the tyrant occupied Indian forces.

Pakistan is a symbol of strength for the Kashmiri youth. He said that future is in hands of China and Pakistan. No country could help the other and bilateral ties are a result of mutual interest and needs.

The CPEC is the game changer in the region and it would open new venues of development and economic prosperity for the country especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab. He said the social media has superseded the traditional media and it has practically transformed the whole world into a global village.

Social media is very popular in Punjab and whole of the country and the impact of TV is declining day by day. Students of today have easier access to doors of knowledge and can reach their teachers briskly through this social media.

He became emotional when he talked about the murder of his wife Benazir Bhutto. "Jeay Bhutto!! Pakistan Khappay!!" he chanted before starting his speech. After a brief address, he later left the airport in a helicopter for Bilawal House. Extraordinary security arrangements were in place in Karachi on Friday. At the old terminal of the Jinnah International Airport at least 10 walk through gates and several close circuit television (CCTV) cameras were installed.

Mobile vans equipped with special surveillance cameras patrolled the areas closed to the venue. "Three-layered security checks have been created," said SSP Malir Sohail Akbar and added, "For the protection of the old terminal alone, at least 2,000 security officials have been deployed."

Karachi Traffic Police announced an alternate traffic plan to avoid snarl-ups following the homecoming of Zardari today. "No roads will be closed in Karachi but traffic will be diverted at some points," said a statement from Karachi Traffic Police. Asif Zardari held a brief meeting with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah at the airport before his speech.

-Business Recorder/NNI