Bilawal urges PPP will defeat ‘bashers of institutions’

PPP, PML-N alliance in general elections no way,Rana Sana Allah,

Muzaffargarh/Lahore (Shoaib Iqbal (Tahir CH)_Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said while addressing an event in Muzaffargarh on Wednesday that the economy would improve by giving relief to the common man. The people of Muzaffargarh supported the PPP in every era. We sent home the selected prime minister who had been imposed [on the country],” he said. “Inflation and unemployment are at a historic high in the country. Traders, farmers and labourers all are worried,” he added. “Making the farmer rich is our belief. The solution to the problems of the people lies in the manifesto of Quaid-e-Awam [Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto],” he emphasised. “We will steer the country out of economic problems. We will give direct subsidies to small landowners. If the farmer is prosperous, Pakistan will be prosperous. Instead of big investors, subsidies should be given to the common man,” he added. “The PPP was never afraid of elections. Those who insult the institutions have to be confronted and defeated. The day is not far when the PPP will be in the government,” he claimed.

“On May 9, institutions were attacked. A party attempted to weaken the institutions,” he deplored. “Elections should be held as soon as possible. No single party can solve the problems faced by the country. One party says that elections will be held in February. How does one party know that elections will be held in February?” he pointed out. “I wish there would be the arrow sign in every constituency. The election slogan will be ‘everyone’s Pakistan’,” he declared. Talking to the media men during his visit to Muzaffargarh on Wednesday, Bilawal said that even the election commission did not know when the polls will be held, and only one party had this knowledge. He said his party tried to sign a new charter of democracy, but it could not materialize.
He further stated that attempts were made to weaken the institutions by resorting to attacks on May 9, adding that the national institutions were attacked on May 9 owing to personal interests and a conspiracy. “Only those who were not involved in the May 9 incidents should be involved in the political process,” Bilawal suggested.

He also announced that his party’s election slogan this time would be “Hum Sab ka Pakistan”. Bilawal said there were several problems the country is facing today but they were the ones who had the solution. He vowed that support for the poor and hardworking would be increased. “If the farmer is prosperous, Pakistan will also prosper.” He told the audience that he hoped his party will clinch five National Assembly seats from Muzaffargarh as opposed to the three in the previous elections. “An incapable, incompetent person was imposed on the country,” he remarked, adding  hat the solution to the current crises was in the manifesto of former premiers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. He said PPP believed that Pakistan’s pressing issues and myriad crises necessitated engagement with all political parties to secure a sustainable solution.

He advocated for the establishment of an “equilibrium” that permitted political parties to operate within defined boundaries while also aiding in guiding the country out of the ongoing crisis. “Regrettably, in Punjab, our political landscape has become polarised to such an extent that we’re transforming into enemies rather than mere political rivals,” Bilawal said. He asserted that the PDM and PPP had previously collaborated as allies during the coalition government, but now both entities were accountable for their independent political decisions. In response to a question, Bilawal mentioned that the party’s Central Executive Committee would convene tomorrow to formulate an electoral strategy. He emphasised that delimitation, as per the Constitution, could be completed in 90 days, and any deviation from this timeline would require a decision from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Bilawal demanded a specific election timeline, saying “whether it’s 90 days, 100 days, 120 days, or even 10 years”, urging for a clear date to be provided. “Just give us a date,” he said. He pointed out that the Constitution unequivocally mandates elections within 90 days of assembly dissolution, seeking clarification if this were not the case.

Meanwhile,
Former interior minister Rana Sanaullah has ruled out the possibility of an alliance between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the upcoming general elections. Interacting with a group of reporters here Wednesday, the PML-N leader hinted the two parties might agree to a seat adjustment formula on a limited level, but even such an electoral adjustment was highly unlikely.  Sanaullah, to a query about the relationship between the PML-N and the PPP, said it was the PPP’s right to critique his party which, according to him, was a calculated move and was in line with their electoral strategy. “In the run up to elections, such political narratives spring up, but often these are devoid of the truth and reality.”

Asked about the PPP’s concerns on the transfers and postings on a large scale ahead of the general elections, Sanaullah said these transfers and postings started after the commencement of the interim government and the notion that it was being done at someone’s behest was completely out of place. In response to another question, Sanaullah said the elections would take place in the last week of January or in the first week of February according to the constitution. “The exercise of delimitations will conclude on Nov 30, after which the elections are quite certain,” he added.
In reply to a question about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Sanaullah affirmed that like any other political group, the PTI reserved the right to engage in politics.

He however advised the PTI to distance itself from the elements associated with the May 9 events, underscoring the significance of exhibiting a responsible political demeanour.
To a question about Nawaz Sharif’s return and the cases against him, Sanaulah said that from the legal perspective, the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif had already ended and as far as his sentence was concerned, the cases brought against the former prime minister were quite weak. “Mian Nawaz Sharif will file review appeals against his sentence and he will certainly be acquitted.”
Sanaullah further said Nawaz Sharif would be accorded a splendid welcome upon his return to the country on Oct 21.
Earlier on Tuesday, former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif would return to Pakistan on Oct 21.
Talking to media in London, Shehbaz Sharif praised Nawaz Sharif’s achievements in his tenure, saying the former prime minister made Pakistan a nuclear power, ended hours-long power cuts in the country and signed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
According to Shehbaz, Nawaz Sharif was removed from power as a result of a conspiracy. Shehbaz said he would welcome the three-time prime minister on his arrival in Lahore.