Former Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, demanded on Tuesday that his father, Asif Ali Zardari, be restored to the presidency, Dawn reported. From 2008 to 2013, Zardari presided over Pakistan as its eleventh president. After the party met for two days in Islamabad, Bilawal told a press conference that his recommendation for Asif Ali Zardari was not just based on family ties but also on his conviction that the man is capable of guiding the nation through its current problems.
“And I am not saying this because he is my father. I am saying this because the country is in a huge crisis at the moment and if anyone has the capacity to douse this fire, it is Asif Ali Zardari,” Dawn quoted Bilawal as saying.
Bilawal underscored the PPP’s dedication to rescuing Pakistan from its current predicament while acknowledging the urgent matters deliberated upon at the party meeting. He emphasized that all political forces should put the interests of the country above polarizing politics and issued a warning to avoid giving outside enemies a chance to take advantage of the unrest within.
“PPP’s principle decision is to take Pakistan out of the current crisis,” he said.
Bilawal announced the PPP’s decision to form a committee aimed at engaging with other political parties to facilitate the formation of government and restore political stability. He clarified that the PPP, while not actively seeking ministerial roles or a direct role in the federal government, is willing to support and contribute on an issue-to-issue basis for the greater good of the country.
Bilawal also said all political forces should think about the country and end the politics of division, saying, “They must not just think about themselves […] this way the enemies of the country would want to benefit from this crisis.”
“It takes two to tango,” he added.
Concerned about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s(PTI)recent actions, especially its reluctance to hold talks with other major political parties, Bilawal criticized the strategy, saying that in order for a political force to effectively address the issues facing the electorate, it must be open to listening to others.
“Saying that we will not talk with anyone, okay don’t do it. But why did people give you a vote? They voted for you to resolve their problems […] a political force must listen to others. When they don’t do that, it damages the country,” Bilawal pointed out, as reported by Dawn.
While accepting the election results, Bilawal highlighted concerns raised during the PPP’s Central Executive Committee meeting regarding a fair playing field.
“We will support political parties without becoming part of the government in the shape of ministries or PDM 2 as people are saying. We will not become part of it. As far as premiership issues, budget and legislation are concerned, we will support them,” Bilawal added.
“We want all the political parties to address the shortcomings so that no one can point fingers at elections the next time. We will also utilise available forums like ECP, parliament, etc in addressing these issues,” he added.
Live: Not putting myself forward as the candidate of Prime Minister of Pakistan, Says Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari #PakistanElections2024#ElectionResults2024https://t.co/WOtExbgf9V
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Bilawal clarified that the PPP lacks the authority to form a government within the federation when addressing the premiership issue. He consequently declared that he would not be running for prime minister.
“In conclusion, the PPP has made the decision that we may not be a part of the government but we will engage with political parties on the issue of votes and the election of prime minister. I am assuring the public that the Parliament will be formed and it is a forum where their issues will be resolved,” Bilawal added.
He also said that the PTI had denied forming a coalition with the PPP which left the PML-N as the only party that had invited the PPP to join the government, Dawn reported.
