Bilawal vows to protect 18th Amendment

Warns PM Imran of treason case if he tries to implement presidential system

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has vowed to foil all attempts for the implementation of the presidential or one unit system, saying the non-democratic forces may have a thousand wishes but the umpire in Pakistan is only - the public - while the third umpire will have no role.

Addressing the media after attending a ceremony of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) on Friday, the PPP chairman said, “Democracy will be protected at all costs.”

Bilawal claimed that the presidential system was not in the interest of the country nor the federation.

Calling for accountability without discrimination, Bilawal termed the NAB law a “black law”, urging the concerned quarters to hold politicians, judges and generals accountable too.



On the one hand the PPP chairman expressed hope that the PM would not make the CPEC project controversial, while on the other accused the government of not being serious in running parliament, economic and other affairs of the country.

“The government has not had even a single bill approved,” said Bilawal.

To a question about the presidential system, Bilawal warned the PM of taking any step, saying he too would have to face a treason case.

“Consultations were held on matters ranging from the 18th Amendment to human rights. The CPEC was initiated by the PPP and there will be no compromise on the multibillion-dollar project,” said Bilawal, demanding of the government to assure the public that there would be no compromise on CPEC.

Bilawal said such a referendum had no place in the country’s laws as the presidential system could not be run anywhere in the world except for the US.

“The presidential system will prove damaging for Pakistan,” said Bilawal, terming the Islamic parliamentary system the best.



“Talks can be held on making amendments to the NAB law,” said Bilawal, adding that the law minister was an “illegal law minister”.

PML-N Senator Mushahidullah Khan prayed for a long and healthy life for Bilawal, saying he had a good ideology for the country and had to serve it.

PBC Vice Chairman Amjad Shah said, “The country needs to be run according to the 18th Amendment while other amendments could also be examined.”

The vice chairman thanked the political parties for their participation in the meeting.