MUZAFFARGARH: Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto continued his criticism of former coalition partners, stating that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had shown no interest in introducing a new Charter of Democracy to address Pakistan’s current political and economic crisis.
Addressing a gathering in Muzaffargarh on Wednesday, the former Foreign Minister also criticized the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) without naming it. He pointed out that even the Chief Election Commissioner does not know when the elections will be held. How a single party could claim to know that the elections would be in February, he questioned, adding if he couldn’t discuss a level playing field, what else should he talk about?
He was elaborating his yesterday’s remarks about the importance of a level playing field in elections. Neither he nor the Chief Election Commissioner were aware of the election date. Yet, that party appeared to have advanced knowledge of the election schedule. He asked, “What else can I complain about except demanding a level playing field?”
PML-N officials had recently been suggesting that the upcoming general elections would likely take place in February next year.
انتخابات جلد از جلد ہونے چاہیئے، مگر یہ بہت عجیب بات ہے کہ ایک جماعت انتخابات کی تاریخ کا اعلان کررہی ہے اور کہہ رہی ہے کہ فروری میں انتخابات ہیں۔
جب مجھے نہیں پتہ انتخابات کب ہیں؟ عوام کو نہیں پتہ انتخابات کب ہیں؟ الیکشن کمشنر کو نہیں پتہ انتخابات کب ہیں؟ تو اس جماعت کو پہلے سے… pic.twitter.com/7bjUfTDfry— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) September 13, 2023
Bilawal Bhutto on PDM Coalition
Bilawal Bhutto also stressed that while the PDM and PPP had previously collaborated as allies during the coalition government, each party was responsible for its ministries, and the PDM was accountable for its decisions. He expressed his belief that Pakistan’s pressing issues and crises required engagement with all political parties to find sustainable solutions.
“پاکستان کے عوام پریشان ہے کہ بجلی کا بل کیسے دیں، اپنے بچوں کو اسکول کیسے بھیجیں، کھانے پینے کی اشیاء کا بل کیسے دیں، بزرگوں کا علاج کیسے کروائیں۔
اور ان تمام پریشانیوں اور معاشی بحران کا حل قائد عوام شہید ذوالفقار علی بھٹو اور شہید محترمہ بینظیر بھٹو کے منشور میں موجود ہے۔”… pic.twitter.com/PS86hnhmhj— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) September 13, 2023
He advocated for establishing an “equilibrium” that allowed political parties to operate within defined boundaries while guiding the country out of the ongoing crisis. He lamented the growing polarization of the political landscape in Punjab, emphasizing that political rivals should not become enemies.
Responding to a question, Bilawal mentioned that the party’s Central Executive Committee would meet tomorrow to formulate an electoral strategy. He demanded a specific election timeline, whether it be 90 days, 100 days, 120 days, or even 10 years, stressing the need for a clear date. He pointed out that the Constitution mandated elections within 90 days of assembly dissolution and sought clarification on this matter.
