PPP to form govt with independents, says Bilawal

KARACHI/SARGODHA: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari has termed his opponent parties – Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – two sides of the same coin.

In an interview to Reuters news agency and addressing a public meeting in Sargodha on Wednesday, he said PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif wanted to become the prime minister for the fourth time through the backdoor, but he would stop his way.

“The number of independent candidates is historic this time. The PPP will form the government along with the independent parliamentarians,” he resolved.

He expressed a grave concern over the security challenges and the worst economic crisis in the country. “The deteriorating law and order situation is pushing the country backward,” he added. Bilawal called for new ideas and leadership to calm political and economic instability. “The implications of the decisions taken today are going to be faced by the youth of Pakistan,” Bilawal said in Larkana. “I think it would be better if they were allowed to make those decisions.”

“What we propose is to completely restructure Pakistan’s development model, putting the threat of climate change front and centre,” he said, in a reflection of his party’s election manifesto. “You know, lots of independent politicians, probably the highest (number) in our history, are taking part in the coming elections,” he added.

Bilawal, on being asked if Sharif was being supported, responded, “He’s certainly giving the impression that he is relying on something other than the people of Pakistan to become prime minister for the fourth time.”

Separately, addressing a gathering in Bhalwal on Wednesday, Bilawal said his party believed in betterment of common people and it strived for uplift of the middle class whenever it came to power. He said Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the permanent ambassador of democracy and he gave his life for the cause of democracy.

He said the PPP would win the elections on the basis of its services for masses. He said Benazir Bhutto had the mission of serving humanity and welfare of the common man was the purpose of her politics.

Meanwhile, Aseefa-Bhutto Zardari urged the party supporters to vote for the PPP in the upcoming general election. Speaking at a workers convention in PP-161 and PP-160, Lahore, she asked the participants to support Bilawal Bhutto for 300 units of free electricity, improved health facilities, prosperity for farmers and an end to hunger.

She highlighted the PPP’s people-friendly manifesto, as well as the party’s existing development work, particularly the government hospitals for everyone in Sindh which, she said, were already benefitting common people. Aseefa reiterated the PPP’s commitment to address the concerns of the poor.

She urged voters to elect the PPP on February 8, so that the status and living standard of masses could be elevated besides doubling their salaries. She expressed the hope that the PPP would win in Punjab, including Lahore.