Elections stalled for ‘one individual's return’: Bilawal

In a veiled reference to PML-N, PPP chairperson slams persistent ‘disrespect of vote’

KARACHI:

The simmering tensions between the PPP and PML-N – former allies – seemed to intensify on Wednesday as Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari bemoaned that both “democracy and elections in the country have been stalled for the sake of one individual's return”.

The PPP chairperson made veiled references to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif while addressing a public gathering held in connection with the 16th anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy, outside Bilawal House in Karachi.

He said that the democracy of the country has been plagued by the politics of "selection,” asserting that regardless of the circumstances, elections must be conducted.

“Whether or not others demand it, he will personally insist on the holding of polls.”

Read more: PPP pleased at Nawaz’s homecoming: Bilawal

It is important to mention that the PPP had previously been supporting the PML-N government, which came into power after former premier Imran Khan was removed from office via a no-confidence vote in April last year.

The PML-N government was set to complete its 16-month term on August 12. However, the then-premier Shehbaz Sharif dissolved the National Assembly three days before its scheduled end.

لائیو: پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کا کراچی میں سانحہ کارساز شہدا کی یاد اور اسرائیلی مظالم کے خلاف احتجاجی جلسہ https://t.co/uu1gq8zQ3m

— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) October 18, 2023

According to the constitution, elections must be held within 60 days after the assembly completes its tenure. However, if the assembly is dissolved prematurely, the period is extended to 90 days. The ECP recently announced that the polls would take place in the last week of January 2024, without providing a specific date.

Initially, both parties agreed on holding the elections within the 90-day timeframe. However, tensions arose between them when the PPP accused its former allies of cosying up to the establishment and conspiring to gain power against the PPP.

Also read: Bilawal and Zardari ‘at odds’ over election

The inclusion of ex-aides to the Sharif brothers in the current interim federal cabinet was perceived as a similar action.

Moreover, the recent development of the expected arrival date, October 21, for Nawaz Sharif has added another layer to the matter.

Nawaz had left for London in November 2019, citing medical reasons. Although he was granted permission by the court to travel overseas for a limited period of four weeks, he has not made his way back to Pakistan ever since.

‘Disrespecting vote’

Addressing the public rally on Wednesday, Bilawal reiterated the demand to announce a date for the general elections.

“We can swallow the ‘bitter pill’ [of holding elections] in more than 90 days only when the election commission announces a date for the polls,” he said.

“Pakistan’s democracy, constitution and elections have been stalled for the return of one person.”

While referring to the PML-N slogan of ‘vote to izzat do’ (give respect to vote), the PPP chairman noted that delaying polls was the ‘beizzati’ (disrespect) of the vote.

"We hope that his [Nawaz’s] return [to the country] would be big, and also that ECP would soon announce the election schedule."

He called for holding elections, saying only people had the right to choose their leaders and make decisions for their future.

"We have to leave politics of abuses and divide behind. We need new leadership… a leadership which is not stuck in the past but thinks about the future. We don’t want 90s’ Pakistan or 2017’s Pakistan. We want today’s Pakistan… Pakistan of 2023… a modern Pakistan."

"The tenure of [coalition] government of the last 16 months taught us that Pakistan cannot be run from London," he said while addressing a ceremony related to the 16th anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy in Karachi.

In view of the skyrocketing inflation and the depleting economic reserves, the PPP leader demanded that relief should be given to the common man instead of the elite.