Bilawal blames ‘non-democratic forces’ for Senate defeat

PPP Chairman says attempts made to create divisions in joint opposition

LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has blamed “non-democratic forces” for the failure of the no-confidence motion against the Senate chairman, saying that attempts were being made to create a rift within the ranks of the joint opposition.

He, however, said that instead of hurling allegations against each other, the opposition should focus its energy on investigating those elements involved in the rigging.

Bilawal also denied having any knowledge of the involvement of Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, the chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence, as was claimed by the joint opposition’s losing candidate, Senator Hasil Bizenjo, in an off-the-cuff remark following his defeat to the incumbent Sadiq Sanjrani.

Bilawal, who was addressing a press conference here, also termed the no-confidence move against the Senate chairman a success “as it has exposed the government”.

The motion for the removal received 50 votes, three short of the required number, despite 64 opposition senators supporting the resolution for the motion before the vote.

In the final count, though, five votes were rejected, presumably of the opposition, while another nine members of the joint opposition voted against the motion.

The outcome, which was a surprise for even keen observers of the political landscape, elicited accusations from opposition leaders of horse-trading, with some pointing an accusatory finger at the security establishment.

“Sadiq Sanjrani has lost the right to stay on his post as the interference of non-democratic forces has come out openly,” said Bilawal. “The same forces that made the motion unsuccessful of trying to divide the opposition.”

He also called for electoral reforms and amendments to change the voting procedure – currently done through a secret ballot – in the lower house.

While responding to questions, the PPP chief also issued a stern warning to those “who talk about toppling the Sindh government”. He added that the PPP would return with a majority in 90 days.

Speaking about the recent Indian acts of aggression in Azad Jammu and Kashmir which saw the targeting of civilian population with cluster munitions, he said that the United Nations must take notice of the issue and take steps to resolve the Kashmir dispute. He also repeated calls to revoke the National Accountability Ordinance, terming it a black law.

On the extension of the army chief’s tenure, he said that it was a sensitive decision that needs to be made while keeping in mind the overall situation.