Lahore: Taking dig at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples’ Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari once again decried lack of level-playing field to his party in wake of upcoming general elections in country, emphasising that his grievance primarily pertains to one particular party.

Addressing press conference here following party’s Central Executive Committee meeting, Bilawal reiterated his call for Election Commission of Pakistan to promptly announce election date.

“Complaint about [lack of] level-playing field is from one party. Hopefully, all our issues will be resolved and if that happens, I will talk more openly,” he added. Bilawal said that his party has concerns regarding elections and other issues, adding that party’s CEC has authorised PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari to take steps in this regard. In an apparent reference to PML-N, he said political party, in connivance with General (retd) Shuja Pasha and former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry “Conspired to throw PPP out of political landscape in Punjab”.

However, he added that party “Paid price” itself in what Bilawal described as “Political mistake”. “An ally falls to our feet when they are in trouble but when they get out of it, they go for our neck,” he remarked.

Regarding Supreme Court’s ruling on NAB law, he said that decision was expected, expressing his readiness to confront any legal challenges, whether under old or new NAB laws. “We have two opinions on this matter.

First, NAB was created by dictator and should be dissolved. Second, there should be an impartial accountability process in country,” he added. On possible political alliance with PTI, Bilawal said that his party was in favour of holding talks with former ruling party. However, party had decided to only engage in talks with those politicians who were not part of May 9 conspiracy. “I wished that they (PTI) had listened to us. But instead, they planned to attack military institutions, GHQ and Jinnah House,” he added.

He said that PPP was open for negotiations with any party not involved in militant activities.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 16 2023

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