No difference in the statements of Zardari, Bilawal: Kundi

Karachi_Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged PPP’s allies not to run away from the electoral race, emphasizing that shrinking would only create space for other contenders,

Addressing a crowded gathering at an inauguration ceremony of a filter plant for the residents of Hyderabad on Sunday, Bilawal Bhutto pledged to provide clean drinking water to areas like Hussainabad, Shah Latif, and Qasimabad, a vital infrastructure development aimed at improving the lives of the people.

He also announced to extend similar water projects to cities like Quetta, Faisalabad, Peshawar, and Multan.

Underscoring his party’s unwavering determination, he said that PPP is ready to contest elections. “PP is alive only because our workers and leaders did not give up after being persecuted,” he added.

PPP Chairman said that they were ready in the past and are still ready for polls. “PPP has always been prepared for the challenges of elections and remains so,” he added.

However, Bilawal Bhutto voiced his concern that some of their political allies are withdrawing from the electoral race. He cautioned against such actions, stating, “If you run away from the election, someone else will take your place.” He specifically mentioned urging the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) not to shy away from electoral competition and not give space to Pakistan’s perceived enemies.

Bhutto criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for engaging in divisive politics across the country, alleging that PTI is sowing seeds of hatred and division among the people.

He also called for unity among opposition parties to counter such divisive tactics.
Bilawal Bhutto said that he had trust in the Pakistani people and reaffirmed his commitment to addressing their needs and concerns.

The PPP Chairman also recalled the solidarity of Hyderabad’s residents during challenging times.
He said that Hyderabad played a pivotal role in his mother, Benazir Bhutto’s, rise to become Pakistan’s prime minister.

While,

PPP leader Faisal Karim Kundi said on Sunday that there was no difference between the statements of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari – the party chairman – and Asif Ali Zardari – former president – a day after they expressed totally opposite points of views on the issue of elections.

In a statement, Kundi said it was mentioned in the constitution that delimitation would be carried out if the number of constituencies was to be increased.

The process wasn’t a much time-consuming, he added and questioned why the ECP [Election Commission of Pakistan] wanted to drag the same till November.

Kundi expressed his suspicion that the general elections schedule might not be held even in December. “You are not giving the election date and are silent. Then what does it mean?” he questioned.

The PPP leader that the entire party was united and consultations would be held on elections issue during the CEC meeting scheduled to be held in Lahore next week.

On Saturday, Bilawal distanced himself from Zardari’s statement that the ECP was bound to conduct fresh delimitation of constituencies.

Taking a differing stance on general elections, Bilawal told reporters in Badin, where he officially kicked off his party’s mass contact campaign, that holding elections within 90 days was a constitutional obligation.

Earlier in the day, Zardari – who is also the PPP co-chairman – had said it was obligatory for the ECP to carry out delimitation after the census.

At the same time, Zardari said that the country’s top electoral body must hold polls according to the constitution – in a marked contrast to Bilawal’s earlier statement in which had demanded announcement of the general election date.