Bilawal fires broadside at ‘power hungry’ Nawaz

PPP chairman predicts PML-N supremo will confront ‘selectors’ post-premiership

LOWER DIR:

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has once again hurled sharp criticism at PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif for attempting to regain power with the "same elements" handing to him a two-thirds majority on a silver platter, scoffing at his track record of three "unsuccessful" stints in power.

Mincing no words, Bilawal derisively referred to Nawaz as "Raiwind’s prime minister”, questioning the merit of Nawaz seeking another term. Addressing a gathering in Lower Dir, he accused the PML-N leader of aiming for a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly through 'selectors', a term often used to imply interference in the electoral process of 'powers that be' to pick their 'blue-eyed' to rule the country.

Bilawal cautioned against the resurgence of Nawaz to the premiership, alleging that he was seeking a return to power through alliances akin to those in the past that granted him a two-thirds majority.
 

“جب صدر آصف علی زرداری نے پاک چین اقتصادی راہداری کا معاہدہ کیا تھا، تو ہمارا مقصد پسماندہ اور دہشتگردی سے متاثرہ علاقوں سے اس منصوبے کا آغاز کرنا تھا، مگر افسوس کے ساتھ لوئر دیر کو اس منصوبے سے علیحدہ کیا گیا ہے انشاء ﷲ 8 فروری کو آپ ایک بار پھر پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کو منتخب… pic.twitter.com/Xwf56oIqSn

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) December 9, 2023

Expressing apprehension over the potential repercussions, the PPP chief warned of enduring another cycle of conventional politics should Nawaz ascend to power for the fourth time.

"Even with a two-thirds majority, Nawaz Sharif will again try squaring up to the same elements that bring him to power every time and the people will bear the burden," he cautioned.

It may be noted here that this is not the first instance where Bilawal has taken an aim at Nawaz. In a series of recent criticisms, he initially advised the PML-N leader to concentrate on their traditional stronghold of Lahore instead of expanding into other provinces. Later, he urged Nawaz to contest the upcoming general elections based on his own ideology and mandate, steering clear of any reliance on the "administration" for support.

Observers noted that Bilawal’s dig at Nawaz’s campaign marked the first time he acknowledged the possibility of the PML-N supremo’s return to the premiership, albeit under the label of "selection".

However, the rhetoric is in contrast with his father, Asif Ali Zardari, who previously hinted at a potential shift in political dynamics in favour of the PPP during an interview with a private news channel last month.
 

Read More: Zardari envisions 'national unity govt' post elections

 

The former president has also tried to take the sting out of his son’s vehement criticisms, offsetting them by soft-pedalling the rhetoric against the purported “selectors” and the alleged meddling to “select” the next premier.

'Old guard ruling the nation'

During the rally, Bilawal, who has been crusading against the “old guard” in his election campaign, lamented that the same old politics still reigned in the country, where personal vendettas have eclipsed political disagreements.

“One party intends to secure victory merely to seek retribution against their rivals. Similarly, the other party holds the same vindictive motives," the Bhutto scion said, referring to the PTI and the PML-N.

On the other hand, he claimed that despite enduring hardships, the PPP refrained from seeking retribution against adversaries such as Imran Khan and Nawaz.

“Our commitment lies in serving the people rather than feeding personal vendettas. We've borne immense suffering, yet we've chosen not to retaliate. Our aim is to prioritise public service over personal ego."

Continuing his criticism of the PML-N supreme leader, Bilawal recalled that in the 1990s, during the period of the IJI, “this person [Nawaz] had been selected and engaged in the same traditional politics and the people had to bear the burden”.

“Those who brought him to power forgot their old equation and made him the PM again, but instead of serving the people, Nawaz Sharif was focused on portraying himself as the ‘Ameer-ul-Momineen’ and squared up in front of the same elements that had brought him to power, and had to rest outside of the country for a decade.”

He stressed, "Pakistan cannot afford to grant another opportunity to either the whimsical player with the country's fate or an individual striving for a fourth term in power."

‘PM of Zaman Park’

Bilawal also took aim at former prime minister Imran Khan, referring to him as the “prime minister of Zaman Park”.

He alleged that under the Imran-led government, politics of revenge was perpetuated under the guise of a ‘Naya Pakistan’ on the footprints of the same old traditional patterns.

“Instead of providing the people with millions of jobs and houses that were promised, Imran wasted the opportunity to serve the people by focusing on revenge.”

Distinguishing his party from the “traditional” entities, Bilawal clarified that for the PPP, the responsibility to govern meant serving the people.

Read More: 'Crying won't lead us anywhere,' Shehbaz tells Bilawal

“The PPP is the sole party that does not consider any party or the PM of Raiwind or Zaman Park its adversaries. The only opponents of the PPP are the poverty, unemployment, and inflation faced by the people.”

The PPP chief also lauded his father, saying Zardari continued the struggle initiated by his mother and the late former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, by widening the canvas of services provided to the people by laying the foundation for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

“The purpose of this project was to help the downtrodden masses and ensure that they are given the most benefit and opportunities, including the victims of terrorism.”

However, he alleged that through a “conspiracy”, the benefits that were supposed to be reaped by the people of Dir through the CPEC were “manoeuvred elsewhere”.

“But the PPP will see to it that the CPEC route touches the area.”