Bilawal warns against 'imposed PM'

PPP chairman vows to contest elections based on 'accomplishments as foreign minister'

PESHAWAR:

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday once again launched scathing criticisms at the PTI and the PML-N, saying that those who once claimed to be representative of change turned out to be that of disaster and those who clamoured for “vote ko izzat do” now became the “Mehngai (Inflation) League”.

The PPP leader also warned against attempts to force a prime minister onto the nation.

Addressing a rally here, Bilawal denounced the imposition of leaders on the nation, affirming: "No one should assume that we will remain silent if a prime minister is forcefully installed."

Talking about his tenure as the foreign minister during the PDM coalition government, he expressed pride in his performance, asserting that he would contest elections based on those accomplishments. He said he went to great lengths as the foreign minister to address the plight of the flood-affected populations, efforts he claimed yielded to the ongoing reconstruction of millions of houses with international support.

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Promising changes once elected to power, he said that the PPP would not waver in its core beliefs and recalled the resilient spirit of his late mother and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

The PPP leader reiterated the party's ideological commitment to ensuring basic necessities for every underprivileged Pakistani, emphasising their belief in governance by and for the people.

He highlighted the challenges of poverty and inflation, pledging proactive measures to tackle these issues upon assuming power.

Addressing the party workers, Bilawal reminded them of the historical hurdles faced by the PPP in past elections, recalling the victory in the 1988 elections despite the formation of a formidable political alliance, the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI), backed by the establishment.

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Reflecting on the contentious electoral history, he emphasised: "The PPP has never experienced a fair-playing field. Yet, in 1988, despite the odds and the formation of IJI, Benazir Bhutto emerged victorious as the country's first female prime minister.”

'Sehat Card had negative impact’

The PPP chairman also criticised the Sehat Card programme started by the previous government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, stating that it harmed the financial position of government hospitals in the province after its funds were diverted to private hospitals.

"Our battle is not against any political party; rather, it is against price hikes, unemployment, and poverty," he said.
He added that the people of Pakistan knew about the real faces of leaders who deceived the masses with so-called slogans of change and respect for votes.