Bilawal asks Nawaz to shun politics of confrontation to get PPP support

LAHORE: Making an offer of talks to the ousted premier and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president on the basis of the Charter of Democracy (CoD), PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Friday that discussions with the ruling party would only be considered if Nawaz Sharif shuns the politics of confrontation.

In an interview with a local news channel, the PPP chief said that the three-time prime minister was not new in politics but was playing a dangerous game with his confrontational politics.

Bilawal said Nawaz Sharif was trying to solve his personal problems and clearing away allegations of corruption even at the cost of weakening the framework of democracy in Pakistan. Bilawal made it clear that his party did not endorse the actions of Nawaz Sharif and would not be open for dialogue unless he changes his stance about politics of agitation.

In response to a question about next elections, Bilawal said that Pakistan’s political system was a multi-party one and after free and fair elections it was evident that multiple parties were present in parliament. He further said that the PPP was a huge national party which had its presence all over the country not just in Sindh, and added that he was hopeful of having a strong presence of his party in parliament after the 2018 elections.

About Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan, the PPP chairman said that his politics was that of hatred and of abusive nature, adding that his days were numbered.

To a query about Maryam Nawaz, Bilawal said that he respected that Maryam knew ethical politics and did not resort to personal attacks.

Earlier in the day, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari turned down Nawaz’s offer of meeting. The news was confirmed by PPP senator and spokesperson Farhatullah Babar. According to details, Zardari remarked that Nawaz Sharif was responsible for the current political situation in Pakistan. “The ousted premier talks about Charter of Democracy only when he finds himself in trouble,” Zardari was quoted as having said.

Also, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari apologised from holding a meeting Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. It may be mentioned here that Opposition Leader in National Assembly Khursheed Shah had on Wednesday informed the party leadership about PM Abbasi’s wish to hold a meeting with them.