Daily Times

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Sunday said that his party should not be pushed to the wall. “PPP is being denied a level-playing field ahead of the July 25 polls,” Bilawal told a press conference here, demanding that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) take measures to ensure that every political party has a level-playing field for canvassing for the upcoming elections. “The PPP is not being provided a favourable atmosphere. It is being singled out before elections,” he complained, and accused the current set-up of creating hurdles in the way of his party’s election campaign. “PPP and other political parties are being prevented from taking part in general elections.”

Bilawal said all parties should be offered equal opportunities to campaign for the elections. Efforts are underway to create the air of fear during the ongoing election campaign, he claimed. “Free, fair and transparent elections are our right,” he asserted.

Bilawal stated that all state institutions should work within their constitutional limits. He said that a controversial parliament will be unable to solve people’s problems, adding, “We have to focus on basic issues of people, like gas and water.”

Quoting his mother Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal said a weak democracy is still better than dictatorship. He expressed hope that his party will form government at the centre after the general elections. “Elections will take place as planned,” he hoped. With regards to chances of PPP forming a coalition government, he said his party is open to the option provided its manifesto is adhered to.

Bilawal said despite cancelling his public gathering in Malakand following the Mastung blast, he had come to meet the people of the area. He said he will soon go to Quetta to express solidarity with families of the blast victims. He asserted that terrorists do not want elections to take place.

When asked about any possibility of postponement of elections, Bilawal said if elections can take place in Iraq and Afghanistan, why can’t those be held in Pakistan.

Referring to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s use of derogatory language for supporters of other political parties, Bilawal termed it ‘outrageous’, saying a prime ministerial candidate should aim at being a representative of the entire nation and not just his party supporters.

Published in Daily Times, July 16^th 2018.