LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto said on Monday that his political rivals cannot come in the way of the party’s success in the 2018 general elections, adding that the establishment should have no role in politics.
Talking to reporters after attending the death anniversary of former PPP secretary general Jehangir Badar, Bilawal said, “No matter what Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) do, they will not be able to keep PPP from winning the elections [in Sindh].” He said that the citizens of Karachi would ignore all ‘puppet politicians’ in the next elections.
His statement came a day after All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) head General (r) Pervez Musharraf said that an alliance, comprising MQM-Pakistan and PSP members under the APML’s umbrella, could beat PPP in Sindh.
In his video message, Musharraf said that such an alliance could take onboard Pir Pagara and other political forces in the province. He also said it could bring forward blocs of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP under its umbrella in Punjab.
Bilawal said, “Musharraf is an absconder and will be brought back to the country in handcuffs to face the cases of treason and murder filed against him.”
He also said that, “Some people want to restrict the PPP, but it will not happen under any circumstances.” No one can stop us from securing a victory in the 2018 general elections, he added.
Expressing reservations on the nationwide census, the PPP chief said that six million people were not even counted in the province during the latest census.
Commenting on the establishment’s involvement in the country’s politics, Bilawal said, “They should provide an explanation and justify the discrepancies in regards to the political happenings in Karachi.”
Flaying Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan for demanding early elections, Bilawal said the forthcoming polls should be held on time. “We have differences with the PML-N, but we want general elections on time,” he added. He also said that democracy needed to remain on track at all costs.
Bilawal also referred to Imran Khan as a mere puppet in the hands of the establishment, and said that he would also fall flat on his face like all other ‘puppets in Karachi’.
He said that the PPP was interested in bringing justice, development and clean governance to the metropolis.
Referring to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s case, Bilawal said that he hoped that the courts would dispense justice against the deposed premier, adding that the Model Town case should also be taken up by the courts.
Later, Bilawal visited the residence of late PPP worker Baba Heera Sai and offered condolences with his son over the demise of his father.
The PPP chairman also paid rich tributes to the services of Baba Heera Sain for the party.