Zardari insists on talks for same-day polls

Former president urges level-playing field for all political parties

Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Zardari said on Friday that his party was not averse to the holding of elections but had objection to its timing, stressing that the elections should be held on the same day.

In an interview with a private news channel, the PPP co-chairman stressed the need for all the political forces to hold dialogue to agree to a date of elections with level-playing field for all parties.

He cited multiple reasons for his insistence of same-day elections – insurgencies in provinces and pending funds from friendly counties. “The situation is not right. Funds from friends and loan from the IMF [International Monetary Fund] are due,” he said.

“I am not refusing elections, my only dispute is regarding the dates. Which political force is scared of elections? My only contention is that it’s too soon,” he said. When asked if the elections could be pushed beyond October, he said it would be a “foolish thought”.

When asked about his proposal for the talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), he said elections should be held on the same day. For that purpose, all political parties should sit together and develop consensus on a single date for the elections.

When asked about the ongoing government-judiciary tussle, particularly the recent decisions of the Supreme Court, the former president replied: “Law, I understand, but politics, they don’t understand. They mean the judges.”