Bilawal’s statement proves PDM is not on one page: Shibli

Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Shibli Faraz on Friday said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's interview -- wherein he had distanced himself from PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif's controversial narrative -- was “clear evidence” that the 11-party opposition alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), was not on one page.

“Bilawal’s statement is clear proof that the PDM does not have a single narrative,” the minister wrote on Twitter.

“Bilawal has [made it clear] that he does not trust Nawaz Sharif. It has now been proven that the PDM is a group of people working for their own interests and lust for power,” he added.

Speaking to a British media outlet, Bilawal explicitly distanced himself and his party from the former prime minister’s stance against the security establishment, saying that he was “shocked” when he heard Sharif mention the names of the army chief and ISI DG at the opposition’s rally in Gujranwala.

He added that neither Sharif nor his party had informed the other parties in the PDM during the preparation of its agenda that they were going to mention the names of the military leadership.

The PPP chairman maintained that the opposition did not seek the military leadership’s resignation and Sharif and his party’s stance was their own.

Separately in a video statement, Shibli said the people of Gilgit-Baltistan had rejected the PML-N and the PPP and the PTI would win the upcoming election in the region.

“The people of G-B are supporting the leadership of the PTI and the party’s activists and supporters are enthusiastically participating in the election campaign,” he added.

The minister maintained that the PML-N was in power in G-B for five years and it would fail to bag seats in the upcoming polls because of its poor performance.

“The people of G-B are anxious to learn about the PML-N’s new strategy which it could not accomplish during its last five-year tenure.”

Similarly, Shibli added, the PPP chairman should tell the people of G-B about what new steps would his party take for them as it had also remained in power in the region in the past.

“People have lost their faith in those who are involved in corruption and were unable to deliver and these two parties will face defeat in the elections.”

The minister further said Sharif was the architect of “lotacracy” (horse-trading) in the country and he had set up its “first factory in Changa Manga”.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, the information minister rejected news reports that the government had decided to privatise PTV. “No such decision has been taken,” he said, accompanied by Food Security Minister Fakhar Imam and Industries and Production Minister Hammad Azhar.

“PTV is being restructured as per the vision of the prime minister,” he added, elaborating that the government was in the process of hiring new board members to run the state-owned broadcaster.

The minister further said the government under the leadership of PM Imran was making efforts to change Pakistan on the model of Riyasat-e-Madina despite all hurdles and difficulties.