Bilawal rules out coalition govt with PMLN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday refused outright to form a coalition government with the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) after the general elections.

The PPP and PMLN were major partners in the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) 16-month government formed after overthrowing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in April 2022.

However, as the general elections draw near, the PPP has been on a rampage against its former coalition partners, blaming the PMLN for the skyrocketing inflation and economic mismanagement in the short-term government.

Talking to Geo News anchor Shahzad Iqbal, Bilawal ruled out the possibility of making a ruling alliance with the PMLN, saying, “I have stated this before as well. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.” “If they are banking on the PPP to form their government, it will be tough for them,” Bilawal said, adding the PMLN is not in a good position in Punjab like the past.

Bilawal said people from across the spectrum are against PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif becoming the prime minister for fourth time. He noted that his party would bring independent candidates into their fold to form a government and elect its premier. Recalling the PDM’s tenure, the PPP chief blamed the PMLN for not following up on the commitments made with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which put the country at stake. “Their decision hurt the economy,” he said, terming the PMLN leaders’ narrative of “sacrificing politics for saving the state” a “joke”. Referring to PTI, Bilawal said as a democratic politician, he is not in favour of depriving any party of its electoral symbol since it is crucial to any campaign. “I would not want it; however, it is written in the law that a party should hold internal polls. When the PTI was in the government, they were told to hold intra-party elections,” said the PPP chairman.

He said PTI’s lawyers came to the Supreme Court for two days without preparation, which caused the party to lose its symbol. Meanwhile, addressing a rally in Khanbela town of Liaquatpur tehsil, Bilawal said the PPP had started the movement of South Punjab province and it would achieve its target. He reiterated his promise of building three million houses and doubling the salaries. Bilawal announced to issue workers, farmers and students cards and added that women would be given loans for starting businesses by increasing the size of the Benazir Income Support Program. The PPP chief said the salaries of government employees would be doubled in five years. He said there was a competition only between two parties. One party is the legacy of Bhutto that gives relief to the nation while the other party is founded by the follower of General Zia that sucks the blood of people. PPP is not against any political party but it is against poverty, unemployment and inflation. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari repeated his 10 points manifesto and said that people should not waste their vote and contribute to the struggle of making him the prime minister.