Bilawal hints at new deal to ‘save’ democracy after elections

• PPP chief alleges Imran receiving special support from certain quarters, ‘puppet alliance’ being forged

LALA MUSA: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday hinted at a new charter of democracy (CoD) after elections.

Talking to the media at Kaira house on Wednesday, he said that political parties of the country, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had signed the first charter of democracy and “now we will try to bring another CoD after elections”.

Bilawal went on to say that in the previous CoD, the PML-N had deceived the PPP but we implemented it 80 per cent. He added, “The charter was not just between the PML-N and the PPP. Many other parties were involved in it as well and supported us for strengthening democracy.”

Bilawal Bhutto also said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan claimed to be confident about his popularity, and yet was “receiving special support from certain quarters”.

“Imran Khan knows that he cannot compete with PPP in the polls and that is why he is running away from fair and transparent elections,” said Bilawal while speaking to media representatives here.

He observed that efforts were underway “to forge a puppet alliance” and contesting of elections by such proscribed outfits was an insult to democracy.

He said that it was time people came out to cast their votes and elect to power whom they wanted.

He said that Imran was under some “delusion” that he would become the premier through some conspiracy, but the truth was that his plans would fail miserably. “We have always countered conspiracies and will continue to do so. We will bring evidence against these conspiracies,” said the PPP chief.

Bilawal said that the philosophy and ideology of PPP were still alive, adding that the PPP had a big role in the politics of Punjab.

The PPP chairman said that his party, PML-N and Awami National Party (ANP) were facing hurdles in the election campaign and. He added that the PTI and PML-N manifestos were the same, however, the PPP’s manifesto indicated various problems and gave attention to poverty and hunger reduction programme.

He went on to say that the PPP would focus on women’s problems and give them the maximum benefits. He added, “We will issue food cards at union council level to provide daily use items on low rates to the common man.”

Bilawal thanked the people who gave him warm welcome during his rally from Islamabad to Gujrat.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan claimed to be confident about his popularity, and yet was “receiving special support from certain quarters”.