Bilawal urges MQM-P to reconsider alliance with ‘failing’ PTI govt

PPP chairman says his party is ready to work with MQM-P to solve Karachi’s issues despite ideological differences

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has once again offered the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s leadership to reconsider their alliance with the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government at the Centre as the latter “failed to do anything for Karachi and its people”.

Bilawal, while speaking to reporters at the Parliament House on Friday, gave assurance that his party is ready to work together with MQM-P to solve problems facing Karachi despite the ‘ideological differences’ between the two parties.

The PPP chairman’s remarks came in light of the recent developments in the political arena, with the ruling party in Sindh eying a coalition with MQM-Pakistan to bring down the Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government at the Centre.

“Together we should strive for solution of people’s problems,” he said, adding that the federal government had failed to fulfill MQM-P’s demands in connection with Karachi.

“MQM should think that why they are supporting a party which has done nothing for Karachi and its people,” he remarked.

Economic situation of the country, Bilawal said, is apparent where people are being “economically murdered”. Prime Minister Imran, he added, has failed to fulfill even a single promise he made to the people.

“We were promised that the federal government will work with Sindh government on water projects, but Imran Khan took a U-turn on desalination plant and K-4 projects. He has also failed to fulfill promises of providing jobs and building houses.”

Help us oust Imran Khan's govt, Bilawal woos MQM-P

Bilawal criticised the MQM-P for sticking with the alliance despite PTI government’s failures. “On one hand MQM-P claims seriousness in solving Karachi’s issues and on the other it stays a coalition partner of PTI, who they admit, has failed in keeping its promises,” he said.

MQM-P should be able to make the decision on its own of leaving the federal government and solve problems of Karachi, he advised.

The PPP chairman said concerns are being shown in Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and at the Centre against the PTI government. “I think this [government] will come to an end now,” he said, adding that the PTI does not have the capacity and ability to run the country.

Commenting on the issue of replacing the Sindh IGP, Bilawal said the prime minister and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had agreed on the matter. He hoped that the premier would keep his promise in this connection.

“A perception that the federal government wants to intentionally disturb the law and order situation in Sindh must not be created,” he added.

Blaming the ‘wrong policies’ of PTI government for prevailing wheat and flour crisis in the country, the PPP chairman said the ruling party was not sincere in even addressing the issue. He questioned as to why an agriculture emergency was not imposed in the country.

Buying duty free flour from other countries will further harm the country’s agriculture, he said, adding that the wheat crop in Punjab and Sindh is nearly ready but now it will have to compete with wheat bought from the international market.

Won't quit alliance with PTI at someone's whim, MQM-P tells Bilawal

His father former president Asif Ali Zardari, he said, had turned a country which used to buy wheat into an exporter of wheat. “Our growers are being economically murdered under this government,” he remarked.

The PTI government was imposed through rigged elections, he said, adding that every political party despite differences among them agrees on one point that Imran Khan has to go home.

Bilawal claimed that PM Imran is not even competent enough to work with his own team. “If people appointed by Imran Khan go on vacations and long leaves then how can tax reforms be introduced,” he questioned, referring to FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi’s prolonged leaves on medical grounds.

Coronavirus

Showing concerns on the deadly outbreak of novel coronavirus, he said the issue of stranded Pakistanis in China has also been raised in the National Assembly, where ministers assured that measures are being taken to resolve the matter.

“When India and Bangladesh can evacuate their citizens, then there is no reason why we cannot,” he remarked and urged the government to fulfill its responsibility and bring back stranded Pakistani citizens.