Pakistan

Bilawal defends opposition after Gillani video fiasco

PPP chairman advises government to 'control' their members ahead of Senate elections

News Desk March 02, 2021

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari talking to media. SCREENGRAB

Hours after surfacing of a viral video showing former prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani's son Ali Haider Gilani sharing tips on how to waste Senate vote, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari came to his party’s rescue, alleging that attempts were being made by the government to give wrong impression that opposition was involved in corrupt practices.

“In reality, Prime Minister Imran Khan is using state's money to bribe people,” he claimed in a news conference flanked by Gillani on Tuesday night.

In the video, initially shared by the official Twitter handle of the ruling party and its leaders, Ali Gillani can be seen telling a PTI lawmaker tricks to mark the ballot paper twice in a bid to waste the vote in tomorrow’s Senate elections. Sources said that the person seen in the video is a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) belonging to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

"On the video issue, I would say that PPP is contesting the [Senate] elections in a democratic manner. However, If money is being used in elections, then it is the government which is using it," Bilawal said, urging the government to "control" its members.

Bilawal said that the PTI is afraid because it is about to lose power and whatever it has attempted has failed so far. "In three years of PTI's rule, it hasn't been able to resolve any issue of the country... they cannot even resolve the issues of their own members," he added.

Talking about the video scandal involving PTI MPAs accepting bribes prior to the 2018 Senate elections, the PPP chairman said the government members are accepting bribes but the government is trying to create an impression that the opposition was involved in such practices.

Speaking on the occasion, former prime minister Gillani said that it was the opposition's right to ask the members to vote for him. "We had even written a letter to Imran Khan... you (PM Imran) should control your members [from indulging in corrupt practices]," he added.

Gillani said that the opposition's efforts have compelled the premier to meet MNAs, MPAs and Senators. "They are not even interested in listening to grievances of their own members," he added.

He further said that if the government wanted to end secret balloting, it should sit with the opposition and discuss the matter.