Amid turmoil, Shehbaz, Bilawal discuss politics

Days after calling upon all political parties to sit together and devise a Code of Conduct (CoC) in an effort to cool the country’s frayed temperatures, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discussed the overall political situation in the country with him.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the golden jubilee celebrations of the 1973 Constitution at the Parliament House on Monday, Bilawal had said that the PPP would approach all political parties to build a consensus so that “we don’t cross the line while confronting each other” and thrash out a consensus to tackle the multiple crises afflicting the nation.

Although the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had refused to attend the All Parties Conference, which was to be held on Feb 7 and then put back to Feb 9, Bilawal had shown his willingness to invite all political forces, including the PTI, to the sitting.

In Wednesday’s meeting, the prime minister and the foreign minister also discussed the regional and international situation as well as the foreign affairs.

Read more: Bilawal ‘won’t stay silent’ on undemocratic steps

Bilawal’s speech came as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has requested the Punjab governor to give time for a meeting on Tuesday (today) for consultation regarding the date of general elections in the province.

“If any undemocratic steps are taken, we will not remain silent, and wherever it is felt that there is a threat to the Constitution, we will fight against it,” Bilawal told the gathering.

“Our party has always been against unconstitutional measures and will continue to do so,” he added.

The PPP chairman said that the country’s institutions had been created by the Constitution. “Our provinces have the governments which are because of the Constitution. For upholding the Constitution, we have to pass through difficult times,” he added.

Bilawal revealed that the PPP was forming a committee to approach all the political parties to forge a consensus on a basic code of conduct and agree to a common agenda in the wake of the ongoing political and economic crises.

Meanwhile, the foreign minister and Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi met on Wednesday to discuss matters relating to nuclear technology.

The foreign minister emphasised using atomic energy in areas of public interest including health, electricity generation, agriculture, and industries.

The IAEA director general lauded the nuclear capability of Pakistan, the Foreign Office said.

(With additional input from APP)