Long march would be successful if establishment opts to play neutral role: Bilawal

LAHORE:  Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) Chairman  Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday demanded a neutral role of the establishment, saying that it would result in the long march's success. 

Talking about the party's relation with the  establishment, Bilawal said: "We have never been interested in [forging relations] with the establishment, and we never will be,"  as  these relations  with the "establishment" are based on media speculation. 

Last month, the PPP had said the anti-government long march from Karachi to Islamabad would take place on February 27, with Bilawal demanding immediate and transparent elections in the country.

He had said that the nation wants to get rid of the “selected” government and a transparent election is the only solution.

Bilawal said PPP "always" acts for the betterment of the Parliament and democracy in the country, as he shared that the party would opt for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan and not besiege the Parliament.

Bilawal said he believes that an extreme step from political parties against the government could lead to a crisis in Pakistan. "In our agreement with the PDM, a no-confidence motion was the last option."

"We will not hold prolonged sit-ins and attack the institutions; we will conduct political business in the Parliament. If we wish to remove the government, then we will do it in line with the Constitution."

Taking a jibe at PML-N, he said if the party has the support of 34 members of the National Assembly from PTI, then it should bring a motion of confidence against the premier.

Some elements trying to tarnish party's image: Bilawal

Speaking about the Leader of the Opposition in Senate Yousaf Raza Gillani, Bilawal said he has complete confidence in him. "Ever since the long march was announced, some elements have been trying to tarnish our image."

Gillani had on Monday announced to step down as the Leader of the Opposition in Senate as he was among eight Opposition senators whose absence the passage of the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill.