Chairman, Pakistan People’s Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, extends warm wishes and congratulations to the entire Muslim Ummah, including the Pakistani nation, as they embark on the sacred journey of the holy month of Ramadan.

According to a press release from the Media Cell Bilawal House, the Chairman PPP, in his message, emphasized that the sacred month of Ramadan is a time for introspection, self-discipline, and compassion. He expressed his earnest hope that the values of Ramadan will illuminate our path towards progress, fostering a nation characterized by peace, prosperity, and inclusive development. “May the essence of Ramadan radiate peace, unity, and prosperity not only for the Muslim Ummah but for the entire world,” he prayed.

Secretary General Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari in a statement has said that the Party has invited applications from aspirants of the Party tickets for the upcoming Senate elections in all four provinces and the centre. 

The aspiring candidates should send their applications by 10 March at the address of Zardari House Islamabad or Bilawal House Karachi. The applications should be addressed to the President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians. 

A bank draft of Rs. 100,000 (one lac) must also be attached with the application against Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing the National Assembly today said that there is a proverb in the English language, ‘History repeats itself, first as a tragedy and then as a farce’. We have reached the farcical stage in Pakistan’s long and arduous democratic journey. Chairman PPP said that he belongs to the third generation of elected representatives from his family. Chairman PPP said that the foundation stone of the building of the National Assembly was laid by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The hall of the National Assembly belongs to all, and it is the mother of all institutions. The members of the House should come to the realisation that strengthening this institution amounts to strengthening the people, and weakening it weakens not only the members, but the federation and the entire democratic system. 

Chairman Bilawal, as a representative of the youth of the country said that he appeals to his elders, those who have become members numerous times before, to take decisions that allow for the coming generations to have bright futures. We should take decisions that ease the path towards the Parliament, for the youngsters who wish to represent their people in this House as members and politicians. We should be lauded by the coming generations of members for our commitment, not be bashed by them for weakening our own institutions. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the manner in which the members of the House were conducting themselves under the garb of protest during the speeches of the PM and the Opposition Leader was disappointing. The people of Pakistan would be disappointed after witnessing this. They are looking at us with hope-filled eyes. Pakistan has reached an alarming stage. The people of Pakistan have voted in the elections to be rid of the pain they face due to the plethora of economic crises we face. The PM talked about his plan in his speech, while the Opposition Leader talked about his issues, however the point was not conveyed to the people of Pakistan as the backbenchers from both the sides were protesting. The Opposition Leader has raised the objection that his speech was not aired on PTV. This trend, that was initiated by Imran Khan should no longer continue, and the speeches of the members should be aired live. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP did not reach the Assembly due to forms 45 and 47, but because of the blood and sweat of the workers of the Party. Shaheed Abdul Wahid Awan, Shaheed Sabir Magsi and Shaheed Abdul Rehman sacrificed their lives for us to reach this House. Shaheed Abdul Rehman, who belonged to Karachi was a twelve year old child, who was martyred by a shot to the head, because the enemies of the PPP wanted to intimidate its voters. In Moro, a worker by the name of Bilal Zardari was martyred during the elections. Mansoor Ali was martyred in Naushahro Feroze. Raza Khoso was martyred in Mirpurkhas. In Balochistan, the PPP’s candidates were subjected to violence through grenade attacks. Zahoor Buledi from Turbat faced two grenade attacks during the election. Mir Asghar Rind of the PPP faced a similar attack in Mand. Ali Madad Jattak’s office was attacked by a bomb blast in Quetta, injuring two. Our candidates in Mastung, Khuzdar and Kachhi were too subjected to attacks. Shaheed Abdul Malik from Sanghar too sacrificed his life. Elections in Pakistan lead to our workers being martyred, and this is strongly condemned. In my first address in the previous assembly as well, I had condemned the fatal attacks on Haroon Bilour and Siraj Raisani, and am proud to see the latter’s son in the National Assembly as the youngest representative, Chairman Bilawal said.

Chairman Bilawal said that one life is too many lives. He proposed the formation of a system that allows for the elections to be conducted without workers sacrificing their lives just for an election. “As a member of the House, I would like for us to achieve feats that can be conveyed to the families of the martyrs to let them know that the sacrifices of their loved ones are not in vain”, Chairman PPP said. 

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari extended felicitations to PM Shehbaz Sharif, the Opposition Leader, CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur, CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah and CM Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti. Chairman Bilawal said that the people are looking towards them, and they all have to play their role in saving the country, its democracy, economy and federation. If our counterparts had listened to the speech of the PM yesterday, they would get to know that we are making efforts to address the crises created. The PM offered to work on a ‘Charter of National Reconciliation’ which the PPP too had advised. We do not only endorse this, but also appeal to our fellows in the opposition to participate in this process. We can solve most of the country’s issues if we make a system in which everyone agrees to the rules of the game and the code of conduct. A ‘Charter of Economy’ was also mentioned and it is incredibly vital. No single party has the mandate to make decisions on its own, the people of Pakistan have made a decision that compels the parties to collaborate. Addressing the opposition, Chairman Bilawal said that it cannot attain its goal without the PPP’s votes even if it is able to bag the reserved seats. The people of Pakistan are sending us the message that they are done with our squabbles. Hence, be it the ‘Charter of National Reconciliation’ or the ‘Charter of Economy’, we have to engage with one another. If the opposition truly represents the people, then it should realise that they are fed up with the crippling inflation and economic difficulties. They have not voted for their representatives to only abuse each other and make needless hue and cry. The people of Pakistan have voted solely for us to save them from the economic quandary, Chairman PPP asserted. 

Chairman Bilawal said that approximately five years ago, 10kg of wheat flour would cost less than Rs. 400, today it costs more than Rs. 1400. Similarly, prices of milk, edible oil and lentils have all increased by 113 percent, 217 percent and 353 percent respectively. These numbers are not updated, and may have increased. About nine years ago, a poor family with a joint income of Rs. 35000 could buy sufficient amounts of flour, edible oil and other food items to provide nutritious food to their family, afford a two-room house, put their children through school, and have enough savings for either a medical emergency or recreation. Keeping in mind the previous year, the same family would need a joint income of Rs. 70,000 to fulfil these needs. The costs are increasing with no increase in income. We have reached this extreme financial crisis, part of which is owed to external factors such as the current international scenario but also the decisions we have taken. If all the political stakeholders of the House sit together, then whatever economic policy is brought forth by the PM would be improved through the input given by them. If the opposition refuses to engage and avail the opportunity given to it to let its opinion be counted, then it cannot criticise the policy curated later. We are all inviting the opposition to help the people emerge from this economic plight. “My advice to our colleagues would be to support us, at least where the economy is concerned”, Chairman Bilawal said. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP’s only narrative has been to contest the elections based on its manifesto. “Omar Ayub may not be as well-versed with his manifesto as I am with mine”, Chairman Bilawal expressed. He said that it pleases him greatly to see that most political parties have agreed to 80 percent of the points raised in the PPP’s manifesto. Representatives of Punjab, the federation and the opposition are making speeches and policy statements that seem to be a good omen for the points raised by the PPP’s document to be implemented. Adding to the PM’s speech from yesterday, Chairman Bilawal said that fiscal space can be created to a great extent. It was said that the federal government runs on loans after the NFC awards given to the provinces. This may be true, but not only because the provinces are getting their due share after the NFC awards, but because the governments of Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan after 2013 did not take the necessary steps following the 18th Amendment. They failed to devolve the ministries that had to be devolved by 2015. Now, doubling is taking place and the bureaucrats sitting in the capital have been telling the governments that the federal government is left with nothing after giving to the provinces. The truth is that 18 ministries had to be devolved in 2015 and the annual cost to run them is 308 billion rupees. Had they been devolved in 2015, then we could have addressed the PIA issue among others with the same amount. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP will not have a share in the ministries this time. During the election campaign, upon raising these issues, we would be met with speculation as people would question our ability to take these steps due to a probable coalition government. Now is the opportunity for Shehbaz Sharif to take this revolutionary step and initiate the process of the devolution of these ministries. Chairman PPP said that he is greatly pleased by PM Shehbaz’s mention of giving subsidies directly to the farmers instead of fertiliser companies which was included in the 10-point agenda of the PPP.  The federal government gives subsidies to fertiliser and energy companies, the elite, and when tallied, this amount reaches the figure of 1500 billion rupees. We cannot afford to be a social welfare state for the rich, Chairman Bilawal said while addressing the Speaker. The money saved through these measures will hopefully help create space for the relief demanded by the people of Pakistan. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the provinces made provincial revenue boards when the sales tax on services was abolished. He said that the collection of sales tax on services of all the provinces defeats that of the federal government. We perform, and the FBR fails each time. The FBR has been collecting the sales tax on goods till now. Chairman PPP said that he had given the same proposal to Hammad Azhar, and is now conveying it to the current government, to give the provinces the responsibility to collect the sales tax on goods. We should set a target for the collection of the tax, and if it is not met, then the provinces can account for the gap through their own budget. If the provinces exceed the set target, then the extra profit can be given to the provinces as a motivating factor. The provincial revenue boards will outperform that of the federation. 

Chairman PPP said that the people of Pakistan hope for us to derive solutions to their problems. It is imperative that we carry out judicial and electoral reforms. We have not been able to make judicial reforms since the Charter of Democracy, and we would like to invite our fellows from the opposition to sit with us over these two issues. If we address these two issues related to the judiciary and the elections, then no power in the world can weaken the democracy of Pakistan. As far as the elections are concerned, not many are aware of the extent to which the workers of the PPP suffer for the sake of democracy. When the PPP would present its objections, it would be met with criticism. We would be mocked for raising questions over the Form 45. We will not do the same. It is time that we address these issues. “When I am elected for the third time, I would not want for the Assembly to witness the same hue and cry”, Chairman Bilawal said. For this, the PPP is present for both PM Shehbaz Sharif and Omar Ayub to once and for all address the irregularities in the elections. 

Chairman Bilawal further said that he condemns the comparison made with Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto over the cipher issue. During the process of his judicial murder, within the court, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had said that he would take the secrets of the country to his grave but never compromise on the national security of Pakistan. “Having served as the Foreign Minister, I am privy to the intricacies involved and one copy of the cipher is with the Foreign Office, while others are sent to different officials”, Chairman Bilawal said. Every copy is accounted for, except for the one that was with the Prime Minister House. Had Imran Khan himself not accepted it on television that he lost his copy, then one would consider the opposition’s excuse that the responsibility lies solely with the bureaucrats. Imran Khan himself admitted that he lost a confidential, national security document of the Government of Pakistan, which is encrypted. The enemy of Pakistan can crack the code of the country, and break into all the other ciphers. As the PM of Pakistan, Imran Khan was privy to this. The tapes that were leaked made it apparent to all that ‘politics was to be played’ over this matter. The intelligence agencies of the US raided Donald Trump’s residence to retrieve confidential documents and filed a case against him. We did not suggest the same. The day after Imran Khan’s arrest, that alleged cipher was printed in an international publication. “If you think that the people of Pakistan are a fool, then you are wrong”, Chairman Bilawal said. We all know that the alleged copy of the cipher was printed in an international publication for the sake of politics and to make the corruption cases controversial in this manner. When such a document is publicised in an international publication, it amounts to comprising the national security of Pakistan. This is condemnable and should be pursued in accordance with the law. We should all ensure that we abide by the oath we have taken. Those violating the Constitution should be punished. The Constitution was violated when the House was dissolved during the no-confidence motion. 

Chairman Bilawal said that if he is schooled over the Constitution and the democracy by them, all he would say is, ‘Who the hell are you to talk to me?”. “I am the grandson of the man who accepted being sent to the gallows, but did not compromise on his principles, those who are protesting today have only recently started talking about the democracy and the Constitution. They are in no position to give us a lecture on these matters”, Chairman Bilawal said. They believe that they can make false accusations and not receive a response. We will not only respond, but expose their lies. When they have a valid complaint, they would see that we would be the first ones to support them. However, if they abrogate the Constitution and attempt to subvert democracy, we would be the first to stand in their way. We are not to be disappointed by such antics, but the people of Pakistan are not pleased by them. Chairman PPP said that if PM Sharif’s government takes a step against the opposition that is against the Constitution or democracy, then we would defend it. However, if the opposition attempts to take undemocratic and unconstitutional steps, then we would become an obstacle for them. No matter how many resolutions are passed to stop interference in the democratic system, we cannot attain this motive until politicians do not respect one another and operate within their constitutional domain. We should not expect the judiciary and other institutions to work within their constitutional boundaries if we do not respect them ourselves. 

Chairman PPP said that the CM KP, Ali Amin Gandapur’s has demanded an inquiry into the events of May 9. We endorse this demand over the condition that we would be assured by the PTI that the decision made by the judicial commission is acceptable to all. It cannot be that the country forgets that its institutions and memorials of martyrs were attacked. The politics of the country will not be able to progress until we address this issue. Due to this reason, the PPP appeals to the PM to approach Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to head the judicial commission on May 9 so that the perpetrators are punished. Chairman Bilawal concluded his speech by wishing PM Sharif good luck.

In-charge Central Election Monitoring Cell of Pakistan Peoples Party, Taj Haider in a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan.

Following is the full text of the letter:- 

“We have the honour to bring to your kind attention that 11 (eleven) seats of the Senate of Pakistan are vacant at present. The Senate is therefore incomplete and the shortage in numbers is very high at almost 10 percent. Section 127 of the Election Act deals with by-elections on vacant seats of the Senate while Section 107 of the same Act laying down the procedure of all elections to the Senate does not allow more than one day for completing each step of the election schedule. You are requested to order that elections on the above mentioned vacant seats of the Senate should be held as early as possible.”

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing the media after attending the hearing of the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Presidential Reference, said that the court is being briefed by the amicus over the criminal aspects after gauging the legal and constitutional aspects of the case. An amicus assists the court without bias, and does not represent any party in the case. Not one amicus in this case till now is of the view that the sentence Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto received and the process was justified. Every single lawyer so far, presented before the court has produced a mountain of evidence that there has been a miscarriage of justice, and this case was motivated by bias and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was judicially murdered. They are proving that there was no judicial process or trial, but Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s assassination. Evidences are being presented before the court rapidly, and the parties of the case, including Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Fatima Bhutto and Zulfikar Jr. who are yet to address the court. We hope that justice will be served at last, and that the blot on the institutions due to this decision will be washed, Chairman PPP said. 

Responding to questions, Chairman Bilawal said that President Zardari will himself shortlist the governors for the provinces after he is elected. The process has not yet begun. Answering another question, he said that the first step towards setting history straight, is to give such a strong decision in this case that allows for the tradition of victimisation to be buried forever. It has been PPP’s consistent stance since three generations for all of the country’s institutions to operate within their constitutional boundaries. This is an integral step towards strengthening the democracy, economy and federation of Pakistan. If we wish for the judiciary and the establishment including other institutions to work within their domains, it is the politicians of the country that first need to understand the importance of engaging within their political boundaries. Only in this manner can we avoid incidents such as May 9 among others. Otherwise, we cannot expect our judiciary, media or any other institution to stay within their limits. Politicians would also need to decide to respect each other. When politicians do not respect each other, and have no regard for basic manners, they should not expect any other institution to respect them, Chairman PPP said. Many of the country’s issues would resolve automatically if the politicians decide to put an end to their ego and internal grudges. 

Responding to a question, Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP did not think only for itself. It could have chosen to remain nonchalant to the entire situation, as the onus was not on the PPP to form the government owed to the numbers. The country’s economy, democracy, stability and federation were all at stake, which compelled the PPP to make a decision. The PPP decided to engage with the party it was approached by. The other party in this case, the Sunni Ittehad Council did not approach the PPP for votes to begin with. They cannot now raise objections over someone else forming the government, as they made no efforts to do so themselves. They made the decision to not engage with us themselves. We were then left with the option to engage with the party that approached us. The PPP will continue to provide its input through the parliamentary system. 

Chairman Bilawal said that we are grateful to the Sunni Ittehad Council and PTI as they allowed for Maryam Nawaz and Murad Ali Shah to be elected as the chief ministers of their respective provinces unopposed. Shehbaz Sharif is now on his way to unanimously being elected as the PM, and the credit goes to the two parties mentioned. 

Chairman PPP said that Arif Alvi could not fulfil the responsibility of being a president. He will now face many legal challenges, beginning with the night that he abrogated the Constitution and dissolved the Assembly despite the no-confidence motion. Now, he has again abrogated the Constitution and failed to fulfil his duty to convene a session of the National Assembly. 

Answering another question, Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP is of the view that only more and more democracy is the solution to the problems of the people. The process of reconciliation is vital, but difficult to carry out. At the time of the Charter of Democracy, both parties accepted their shortcomings and derived a future course of action. The PTI’s plight is that it refuses to accept its own mistakes and does not believe in the country’s Constitution, democracy and system. President Zardari in his press conference had mentioned that the PTI would be a part of the process of reconciliation. However, till date, the PTI refuses to admit its own faults. 

Chairman PPP said that the people of Sindh have given a historic mandate to the PPP for its performance in the province. Hafeez Pasha, in his book, ‘Human Security in Pakistan’ has compared the performance of all the provinces.  PPP’s led Sindh government has surpassed all provinces including Punjab, which is why Syed Murad Ali Shah was the PPP’s candidate for CM, and triumphed. Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP’s aim was to release all political prisoners after coming to power, but the party is now in the position to propose this as an advice.

Islamabad, 26 February, 2024: Newly elected member Balochistan Assembly from Awami National Party, Zamarud Khan, Senators Dawood Khan and Nawabzada Umar Farooq from Balochistan called on the former President of Pakistan and President Pakistan Peoples Parliamentarians, Asif Ali Zardari at Zardari House Islamabad. They announced their support for President Asif Ali Zardari in the Senate and Presidential elections.

Zamarud Khan MPA also announced to support the Pakistan Peoples Party in forming the government in Balochistan. The ANP also announced to play a more dynamic role in government formation in Balochistan. 

Ali Madad Jattak and Mir Ali Hasan Brohi were also present on this occasion

The chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in his message on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat, has said that Allah Almighty accepts prayers on this holy night. Therefore, we should organize collective prayers along with individual prayers on this occasion, and urge that we should pray for the security, stability, economic recovery, and the complete end of terrorism for our beloved country.

According to the press release issued by the Media Cell of Bilawal House, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Shab-e-Barat is the night of great virtue and greatness, when the special mercy of Allah Almighty is bestowed upon human beings and the sins are forgiven on this holy night. We should spend as much time as possible this night worshiping in order to garner the blessings of Allah Almighty.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the hearing of the presidential reference on Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s murder. Talking to the media in the premises of the Supreme Court, Chairman PPP said that he hopes that the justice which the daughter of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto could not get will be provided to his grandson. 

Chairman PPP said that Pakistan was ruled by dictatorship for about half of its existence and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was martyred during a dictatorship. Now, the progress of the judiciary and parliament are linked to this issue. We hope that the founder of the Constitution who laid the foundation of the buildings of the Supreme Court and the Parliament, will get justice. He was judicially murdered. For a murder, there is no time limitation for the case to be taken up. Honourable judges will decide through this reference whether justice was meted out in this case during a dictatorship and the resultant remedy. The judiciary will be able to wash out the blot on it. The Chief Justice has said today that the blot on the other institutions will also be washed through this opportunity. We can draw a line on the sand that whatever happened in the past was wrong so that we can look towards the future so such heinous crimes are not repeated. Chairman Bilawal said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir had a dream to get justice for her father and we are thankful to President Zardari for sending this reference which provided us an opportunity to get justice. He said that he was impressed by the intellectual calibre of the judges. They are looking at the case with not only the regard to law but also history and the facts and figures are on their fingertips. It gives me pleasure to see that the first woman judge of the Supreme Court is also in the bench hearing this case, Chairman Bilawal expressed. History goes forward in a beautiful manner. 

Responding to the questions by the journalists, Chairman Bilawal said that one remedy is the judicial reference and other avenues are also available. If there is no time limitation for those aggrieved by a murder to file a case, then an FIR against the conspirators too can be filed. “What can stop the judiciary from pursuing Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s case then?”, Chairman Bilawal expressed. This avenue too is being contemplated. We hope that by this judicial reference we can correct our history as we want to see our institutions blotless. Hence, the legal process could also be explored through a FIR. Responding to another question, Chairman PPP said that he is not impatient regarding the hearing of this case. Journalists should present evidence before levelling any allegation against me, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the people are so aware that they did not give a mandate to any single party which gives the message that they do not wish for a single party to face the challenges alone. The people are saying that the parties should get together, and this is known as ‘compromise’ in politics. There is give and take in political coalitions. The people of Pakistan have given their verdict and now the political parties will have to get together to steer the country out of difficulties, save our federation, democracy, parliamentary system and the economy. The only way to achieve this is through dialogue and compromise. The earlier the government formation is completed, the better it is for the country because questions are being raised over the delay which is due to the non-seriousness of the other side. The PTI is technically the largest party but they do not want to talk to anyone. The second largest is the PML-N and the PPP has decided to be receptive to it since it was approached by them. We will give our vote to the PML-N on our own terms. The delay in the government formation is the country’s loss. PPP is steadfast on its philosophy and if the other side is not ready to change its stance then a very dangerous stalemate is expected which will not be in favour of the Pakistani democracy, economy, federation and political stability.

Senator Sherry Rehman, Vice President of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), on Monday strongly opposed the proposal by Jamat-e-Islami’s Senator Mushtaq Ahmed to introduce public executions for rapists through amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Criminal Procedure Code, calling it a counter effective measure in deterring sexual crimes and urged improved prosecutions and investigations to address the matter.

Speaking during a session of the Senate, she said: “The Peoples Party has always had a principled stance against the death penalty, whether public or private. While the PPP staunchly condemns rape as a heinous and grave crime, calling for the death penalty or public executions, as seen in various countries, have not proven to be effective in deterring sexual crimes. We must prioritize enhancing prosecutions and investigations rather than resorting to barbarism and violence within society.”

She added that there have been historical attempts at public executions during Ziaul Haq’s era which failed to reduce crime.

“If public hanging is advocated for one crime, it will be demanded for other offenses as well. The PPP focuses on the importance of addressing the prevailing anger towards violence and sexual crimes through comprehensive measures, including improved funding for the police, enhanced criminal investigations, and better training for officers handling rape cases.”

Further stressing the PPP’s commitment to human rights principles, Senator Rehman advocated for comprehensive solutions and the reallocation of resources to better support survivors.

“We reject the notion that public hangings serve as an effective solution and call for careful consideration of crimes, fair trials, and increased conviction rates as more practical deterrents,” she said, adding that Pakistan already has life-sentence punishment for rape.

“There is a need for a nuanced and well-thought-out approach to address crimes against women, focusing on comprehensive legal reforms and cultural changes rather than resorting to public executions. In contemporary 21st-century society, we cannot revert to medieval practices, as public executions to eliminate crimes; instead, they will have other detrimental effects on society.”

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the Pakistan People’s Party’s two-day long meeting of CEC has concluded. The current political situation of the country was discussed with respect to stability. Concerns about Pakistan reaching a crisis point were also under discussion. 

The Pakistan Peoples Party’s principled stance is that it needs to help the country emerge from the plethora of crises it is faced with. The time has come yet again for the Party to raise the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay’. “The reality is that the PPP does not have a mandate to form the federal government and this is why, I will not be putting myself forward for the candidacy of the Prime Minister of Pakistan”, Chairman PPP said. There are two other groups that have more numbers in the National Assembly, the independent group and the PML-N. The PTI has announced that they will not engage in a dialogue with the PPP and that rules out the possibility of an independent and PTI-led government. That leaves us with PML-N which is the only political party in the National Assembly who have reached out to the PPP and invited us to join their government. The PPP has decided that while we are not in a position to join the federal government ourselves, nor will we be interested in taking ministries in such a setup, we also do not want to see political chaos in the country. We do not want to see perpetual crisis in the country. What are our options? If the PTI does not want our votes and the PML-N does not form a majority, and if I am not the PM candidate and this House fails to elect a PM and form the government, then we will have to go back for re-elections and this will lead to another perpetuation of this political crisis. Political stability will not return, rather political instability will increase. The consequences of this will be faced by the people of Pakistan, who at this moment, are facing not only a political crisis but also an economic one, the very real threat of terrorism and climate change. 

The PPP contested this election on a manifesto, one that revolved around the issues of public importance including the Awami Muashi Muahida and our commitment to the people of Pakistan to put an end to the political instability and toxicity. To that end, the PPP will be willing to support on an issue-to-issue basis and in the case of important votes for the candidate of the PM of Pakistan, to ensure that a government is formed and political stability is restored. In that context, the PPP has decided that we will form a committee of members of the Party to engage with other political parties. As far as government formation is concerned and the question of political stability, the PPP will make a committee to engage with counterparts based on its views. We will make efforts to push the country in a direction which is the right of the Pakistani people, who participated in this election. They do not wish for further chaos. They are looking at their politicians to help them emerge from further turmoil. 

The members of the CEC raised objections over the PML-N and our experience with them for 18 months. Members of the Party, especially from Punjab, KP and other provinces expressed their grievances over their issues not being resolved. Confidence-building hence is vital, which is why we will not only discuss government formation in the meetings with other parties, but also demand of them to address the PPP’s grievances.  

Talking about the 2024 general elections, Chairman PPP said that unfortunately, as was the case in the past, including 2013 and 2018, this election too suffered from similar objections. The members of the PPP’s CEC too expressed their views regarding the level playing field, rigging and irregularities. It has been decided that the PPP’s CEC will collect all such complaints as far as this election is concerned. Moreover, despite these objects, grievances and protests over these elections, we will accept the results due in the larger interest of the people and the country. We would simultaneously want to address these issues so that the upcoming elections are not questioned. We will also use forums such as the Election Commission of Pakistan, the Parliament etc. During the election campaign, the CEC of the Party had raised concerns with President Zardari regarding the lack of a level playing field and he had ensured the meeting that they would be addressed. Unfortunately, the PPP has numerous objections despite that. 

Chairman Bilawal said that he himself conveyed to President Zardari on behalf of the CEC to help address the concerns over the level playing field, given the evidence of irregularities. It cannot be that the same grievances are raised in every election. In the larger interest of political stability in Pakistan, this issue too should be addressed. 

Chairman PPP said that he wishes to give hope and a message to the people of Pakistan, in wake of the dropping of points at the Stock Exchange and concerns of the international community and the people that the Parliament and a government will be formed; it is the forum where the issues of the people are resolved. The PPP will ensure, not for its own sake but that of the country that a government is established and we do not head towards a new election which plunges us into deeper chaos. 

Responding to questions, Chairman Bilawal said that a clear mandate was not achieved. Neither the independent candidates supported by the PTI, nor the PML-N and the PPP are in the position to form their own respective governments. Elections do not take place easily; they demand the hard work and blood of our workers. If we head towards a re-election, we still foresee chaos and political instability. Moreover, there is also uncertainty regarding other political parties accepting those results. The message the people of Pakistan are sending is falling on deaf ears as far as the politicians are concerned. The Pakistani people gave a split mandate so that the country is not run on one entity’s whims alone. They voted in this manner so that the political parties would collaborate and solve the problems of the people. Unfortunately, the PTI today too is taking decisions that are not in the interest of the people. The people voted for them so that they would solve their problems. We are talking to the other political force, but they would have to listen as well. The PPP believes that it is our responsibility to help the people of the country and evade instability. This is the reason the PPP has raised the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay’ yet again. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP will not take ministries in the government; it will support the government on an issue-to-issue basis, its manifesto and important votes. We have formed a dialogue committee to convey our terms and conditions. Chairman PPP further said that he does not believe that he will be the Opposition Leader. 

Chairman PPP said that the Party will make efforts to form the government in Sindh and Balochistan. Moreover, the PPP has the right to hold constitutional positions. When Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had 17 seats in the National Assembly, the Party still nominated its candidates for constitutional posts. The PPP will definitely nominate its candidates for these positions. He further said that it is the prerogative of PML-N and other political parties to nominate their PM candidates. The Party will decide its nominees for these posts. “It is my personal desire that President Zardari is the PPP’s candidate for the post of the President, because the country is currently burning and if anyone has the capacity to help put the fire out, it is President Zardari”, Chairman PPP said. It is imperative for the country that President Zardari assumes this responsibility for the sake of the country yet again. 

Answering a question, Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP’s stance has always been in support of the Parliament and the PM completing their terms. If the PML-N’s candidate engages in the traditional politics of hatred and division, then it will be very difficult for the federation and democracy to operate. Not only the PML-N, but all political parties including the PTI should not think for themselves, but the country. The country’s enemies would want to benefit from the current situation. We should engage in politics within the constitutional domain. Moreover, political forces need to realise that ‘it takes two to tango’.  

Chairman Bilawal, while responding to a question said that while there may be clashes in policy of the PPP and other political parties, it is the beauty of democracy that both views are respected. If the decisions made by the Parliament are based on consensus, then it is hoped that the people will benefit. If we do not focus on the basic problems of the people, it will not only harm a political party but the entire nation.  

Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP could have taken advantage of this political situation, and blackmailed the PTI and the PML-N. This is not the politics of reconciliation, but our love for the people of Pakistan that is compelling us to make this decision. We have to choose between our politics and for the system of the country to run, for which the PPP’s leaders and Jiyalas have rendered great sacrifices. As far as the Party’s space in Punjab is concerned, the conspiracy against the PPP is a continuation of the pattern in the past. It has been conveyed to President Zardari to address these concerns. Form 45s are received from the polling stations due to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s efforts as she strived for electoral reforms to take place during Dictator General Musharraf’s rule. The consensus formula for the interim government was derived because the PPP introduced an amendment. Had the PPP not done that, then in 2013, it could have conducted the elections as it pleased. The PPP will not engage in the politics of extremism. “The people of Pakistan do not expect of me to take an extreme position solely to cater to my personal interests”, Chairman Bilawal expressed. 

Chairman PPP said that the Party expressed its concerns over the elections before the media and also wrote to the ECP. We are relaying our concerns regarding the level playing field to President Zardari to be resolved since he had assured the CEC of it. This can be addressed by the political parties of the country conducting electoral reforms in a manner that leaves no room for objections in the next elections. 

Chairman Bilawal said that the PTI has made it a habit to cry wolf in every single election despite the fact that it is a historical fact and reality that in the majority of those elections, the odds were not against them. We all remember the 35 punctures and how the country was destabilised and our fragile democracy was harmed through the protests and sit-ins. We also have concerns and there are forums for them to be addressed. Even if the seats do change a little bit, no political party will be in the position to form the government alone. The PTI themselves have said that they are not willing to talk to any political party. From this statement, it is obvious that they are not interested in forming the government and creating an environment of political stability. They would like to continue their extreme, populist politics where they wish to delegitimise as many democratic processes as possible. They believe it is to their political benefit to spread chaos in the country. The challenge of this sort of populism is not unique to Pakistan. We have now come to a point where even the democratic system of America is being challenged along the same playbook whether you are with or without facts on your side; you accuse and repeat the message of rigging to delegitimise the democratic process and institutions. Once the populists delegitimise these democratic institutions, then they manage to whip up a sentiment within the country that allows them to not only form the government but use it to undermine institutions. This is a challenge all over the world. Pakistan’s fragile democracy, where 50% of its rule has been under direct dictatorships, it is very difficult to cope with this populist challenge. This populist challenge must be met democratically and politically. The only answer to this challenge is more and more democracy. If the government that is to be formed decides to respond to the populist notions in a manner that it resorts to its own extreme and populist politics, then we are in a vicious cycle. The consequences of this approach will be borne by the people of Pakistan, especially in the wake of the economic and security crises. We have a host of challenges to solve. It will be our constant effort to convince all sides that politics should remain within the democratic space. We should consult ourselves in a manner that strengthens democratic and civilian institutions, not for our shortsighted political gains. 

Responding to another question, Chairman Bilawal said the MQM adopted a violent approach. It is also a concern that militant elements of the Party were freed in the elections. Our candidates were subjected to violence, their offices and cars were burned. Whoever, despite all this, we will not compromise on the peace and progress of the city of Karachi. Our message to them too is not to engage in the politics of hatred and refrain from dividing the city based on linguistic politics.