Bilawal accuses govt of intolerance as ICT bars workers from entering Islamabad

Bilawal will appear before NAB in an inquiry related to kickbacks given to Zardari Group of Companies

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday accused the federal government of being intolerant of “constructive criticism and opposition voices”.

The young politician’s retort came following a notification issued by the Islamabad Capital Territory barring political workers from entering the federal capital ahead of Bilawal's appearance at the National Accountability Bureau Headquarters today. Bilawal is scheduled to record statements in an inquiry concerning kickbacks given to the Zardari Group of Companies.



Fearing unrest over Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari’s appearance before the anti-graft watchdog today, the ICT on Tuesday authorised Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab governments to direct their police personnel to prevent Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) workers from leaving respective provinces and entering the federal capital.

The notification said that PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is expected to appear [at] National Accountability Bureau Headquarters on Wednesday. “It is expected that a large number of political workers will gather from different parts of the country which may end up creating law and order situation. Therefore it is requested that home secretaries of K-P and Punjab may be appointed to direct their CPO/ DPO/ DC to stop said workers to enter inside the Islamabad Capital Territory.”



The PPP chairman responded scathingly to the development in a series of tweets.

“Thank you all for supportive messages. Will be leaving for NAB Pindi shortly,” he wrote on Twitter. “Despite ex-Chief Justice Saqib Nisar announcing that I am innocent, the government has no tolerance for constructive criticism & opposition voices, continue to persecute political opponents.”

“Luckily I’ve had a lot of practice,” he added while sharing images of his late mother and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto coming out of jail where her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, was imprisoned.

Thank you all for supportive messages. Will be leaving for NAB pindi shortly. Despite CJ Nisar announcing that I am innocent, govt has no tolerance for constructive criticism & opposition voices, continue to persecute political opponents. Luckily I’ve had a lot of practice 👇 pic.twitter.com/VzAmUjRoL3

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 29, 2019

“Despite no official call to protest, party workers have begun to reach Islamabad,” he continued. “In violation of every Pakistanis democratic rights of freedom of assembly panicked government released a midnight notification to harass opponents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab & Islamabad.”

“Dartay hain Tabdelee way...” he quipped.

Despite no official call to protest, party workers have begun to reach Islamabad. In violation of every Pakistanis democratic rights of freedom of assembly panicked govt. released a midnight notification to harass opponents in KP, Punjab & Islamabad. Dartay hain Tabdelee walay... pic.twitter.com/LVbF0BX7KX

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 29, 2019

Senior PPP leader Farhatullah Babar said all roads leading to the Zardari House in Islamabad had been blocked. “Workers are being forcefully prevented from going near Zardari House. But the followers have never been afraid of such tactics before nor will they be now,” he said.

Babar directed workers to not agitate the situation. “Truth will be successful. NAB and its chairman have lost moral high ground. Their words do not command respect.”

“Why is the government afraid of peaceful political workers? What do they have to fear from workers accompanying their chairman to the bureau?" asked Senator Sherry Rehamn. "The roads are blocked. They stopped my car as well. The government has locked down the entire city. They will not be able to stop Bilawal.”

PPP secretary-general Nayyar Bukhari condemned ICT’s order barring political workers from entering the city. “The discriminatory behavior of NAB is evident,” he said.