The Pakistan People’s Party is the ‘only party’ that wants elections: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the PPP
The Pakistan People’s Party is the ‘only party’ that wants elections: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the PPP
In the midst of ongoing tensions over delays in Pakistan’s general elections, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that the Pakistan People’s Party is the ‘only party’ that wants elections.
In the midst of tensions surrounding Pakistan’s general elections, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) claimed that it was the “only” political party in the country that desired timely elections, according to Dawn.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said at a press conference in Karachi, “The PPP is the country’s only party that wants elections to take place.”
He went on to say how “so-called” political leaders were making excuses to postpone elections.
“You must have noticed that sometimes a so-called leader appears on screen and says, delimitation has to happen and elections can be delayed until then.” Okay, let’s accept that delimitation is necessary, but that process has been completed, so there should be no problem in announcing the date (for elections),” Bilawal said.
He also criticized Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s concerns about elections not being held in February due to the harsh winter.
If not delimitation, someone will sometimes start talking about the weather, saying, ‘it is very cold in February and January, so how will we contest elections,’ while others will talk about the law and order situation,” Bilawal added.
Earlier on Sunday, the JUI-F chief stated that general elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan would be impossible to hold in January, according to Dawn.
“In January, weather would be harsh in Chitral, Khuzdar, and other parts of KP and Balochistan,” he stated.
Furthermore, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced earlier this month that general elections would be held in January 2024, but no date was given.
According to Dawn, the ECP issued a report last week on the preliminary delimitation of constituencies in the aftermath of the 2023 digital census.
Bilawal went on to say that the public should be aware of who was avoiding being held accountable in polls and who was willing to present themselves to voters.
“The PPP will continue its politics and would not rest before securing the notification for an election date,” he said.
Reiterating that the PPP has begun preparations for the upcoming elections, Bilawal stated that the PPP is ready to present its ideology and manifesto to the public as part of its preparations, according to Dawn.
Earlier, in response to Bilawal’s remarks, PPP leader Yousuf Raza Gilani stated, “I have read Fazlur Rehman’s statement… Except for him, no one has objected to elections in January.”
According to Dawn, the former Prime Minister also stated that any party with reservations about delimitations should raise their concerns with the ECP.
