Daily Times

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto on Saturday alleged that the interim governments in provinces were biased and that efforts for pre-poll rigging were already underway.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, the PPP chief observed that the workers of his party were being asked to join puppet parties like the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA). He demanded that the general elections be held on time, reiterating that his party will never boycott the polls.

While mentioning the recent blast in Mastung that claimed over hundred lives including Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader Siraj Raisani, Bilawal stated that the people of Pakistan were in the state of mourning following the condemnable incident. He observed that enough steps were not taken to eradicate terrorism from the country. “Extremism and terrorism are resurfacing. It is regrettable that a solution of these problems has not been found to date,” he lamented.

Speaking about attack on Awami National Party (ANP) leader Haroon Bilour, Bilawal announced that his party had temporarily suspended its election campaign following attacks on political leaders. “How can we chant our slogans and play our political anthems after hundreds have been martyred,” he observed. “We had a power show scheduled in Malakand but that too cannot be held now. Extremism and terrorism have resurfaced. What was needed to be done to curb these menaces has not been done,” he said.

However, Bilawal expressed the party’s strong resolve to contest the upcoming polls. “PPP will enthusiastically take part in election despite the current circumstances,” he stressed, adding that his party had always faced difficult times.

Bilawal said the party’s candidates contesting the upcoming polls from NA-200 Larkana have complained that hindrances were being created in their election campaign. “We don’t have a level-playing field … PPP is being stopped at different places. We cannot run our campaign from home,” he noted, adding that he himself met with many difficulties ever since he left Karachi for the party’s election campaign. Bilawal suggested that parliament should be utilized to bring political parties and institutions on the same page. He said that a lot has been achieved by the democratic journey during last 10 years but it is a matter of concern that certain elements did not learn anything from the past mistakes.

Bilawal claimed that his party will form the next government owing to a good response of people and bring all the political entities on the same page afterwards. He also called for strengthening of institutions, saying it is the only solution available to address problems and issues of the people. Responding to a question, he demanded that prescribed rules and regulations should be followed in transfers and appointments of officers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Daily Times, July 15^th 2018.