Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has that Nawaz Sharif was trying to stage another comeback into the power through backdoor.
In an interview to the foreign media, the former foreign minister raised doubts about PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s pursuit of a fourth term as the country’s premier.
He said Nawaz Sharif was giving an impression that he was relying on invisible hands than masses.
When asked if he believed the establishment supported Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal expressed concerns about the manner in which the former three-time premier was allegedly receiving preferential treatment since his return to Pakistan in October last year.
Both the PPP and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have accused Nawaz Sharif of enjoying special privileges while other political parties face an uneven playing field leading up to the February 8 polls.
Addressing the ongoing political landscape, Bilawal dismissed the possibility of forming alliances with PML-N or PTI, expressing a preference for a government with independent candidates. “You know, lots of independent politicians, probably the highest (number) in our history, are taking part in the coming elections,” he added.
Bilawal acknowledged the looming questions of transparency surrounding the 2024 elections, as witnessed in previous ones, but he and his party remained optimistic about prevailing against expectations.
The upcoming elections face added scrutiny, particularly for PTI candidates, as the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to declare the party’s intra-party polls as “unconstitutional,” resulting in a loss of its bat electoral symbol.
In the face of economic challenges and rampant inflation, Bilawal asserted his commitment to a concrete plan aimed at providing free electricity and enhancing social safety programs, despite fiscal constraints.
He emphasized the need for restructuring Pakistan’s development model, placing the imperative of climate change at its core, aligning with his party’s election manifesto.
Bilawal called for new ideas and leadership to address the prevailing political and economic instability. “The implications of the decisions taken today are going to be faced by the youth of Pakistan,” Bilawal said, underscoring the importance of allowing them to actively participate in shaping the nation’s future.
