PPP indispensable to form government: Gilani

As the general election looms merely a month away, former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani asserted that no government could be established without the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Addressing a news conference, Gilani emphatically stated, "Let me tell you one thing, no government can be formed without the PPP."

He said the PPP stands as Pakistan's sole ideological party, adding that the enduring legacy of the Bhutto family signifies unparalleled sacrifices in the subcontinent.

“Its sacrifices for human rights, the upholding of the Constitution, the rule of law, women empowerment, and minority rights are in front of everyone. You have seen that in the subcontinent, no other family has rendered more sacrifices than the Bhutto family,” he said.

When asked, the PPP leader emphasised that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) shoulders the responsibility of ensuring free and fair elections. “I feel there should be a level playing field for all in the elections and no one should be given preference.”

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Addressing the objections raised by the ECP regarding candidates' nomination papers, he remarked, "Our party has conveyed its position on this matter, including Bilawal Bhutto's stance emphasising a level playing field. The returning officer has raised objections on certain nomination papers. Presently, we await insights from our legal team on this issue."

In response to a question about the nomination papers of PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi being rejected, he said, “I won’t repeat my stance over it. The policy statement I or Bilawal had to give was already given”.

A day earlier, ECP rejected PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan's nomination to contest the 2024 national elections in two constituencies.

Imran has been disqualified from contesting the national elections scheduled for Feb 8 because of the corruption conviction, but he nevertheless filed nomination papers for the elections on Friday.

In a list of rejected candidates from Lahore, the ECP said Imran’s nomination was rejected because he was not a registered voter of the constituency and because he was "convicted by the court of law and has been disqualified".