Pakistan

Gen Bajwa wanted us to withdraw no-trust vote against Imran: Bilawal

PPP chairman claims former army chief proposed to 'facilitate' elections if his offer was accepted

News Desk November 10, 2023

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addresses media in Karachi on November 10, 2023. SCREENGRAB

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday claimed that former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa had proposed to "facilitate" general elections if the then opposition withdrew the no-confidence motion against the former prime minister Imran Khan.

Bilawal, while addressing the media in Karachi, asserted that the offer was extended two days prior to the day the motion was passed.

Revealing more, the former foreign minister said that Bajwa, through a message, explicitly conveyed his neutrality on the no-confidence motion issue.

لائیو: چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری ڈائنو سفاری پارک، کراچی کے دورے کے بعد میڈیا ٹاک کررہے ہیں۔ https://t.co/iU9c7B53Tw
— Pakistan Peoples Party - PPP (@PPP_Org) November 10, 2023

Bilawal’s revelation, however, contradicts the persistent narrative of the ousted ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has consistently accused the former army chief of colluding with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to overthrow their government.

In February, this year, the PTI chief claimed that Bajwa admitted in a statement to a journalist that he brought down the PTI government, insisting that there should be an inquiry into the matter within the army.

In today’s press conference, Bilawal drew parallels with the 2008 elections, suggesting that defectors would face consequences in defeats. He ominously hinted that a specific party, akin to the fate of one in 2008, could expect defeat in the upcoming polls.

Commenting on the potential electoral alliance between Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Bilawal expressed optimism about the PPP benefiting from such alliance.

Assured of success, Bilawal confidently asserted that, akin to their performance in local body elections, the PPP would secure victory in the upcoming general elections, with the public's mandate solidifying their position on February 8, 2024.