Bilawal wary of joining forces with Nawaz following polls

Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, has voiced reservations about forming an alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) following the February 8 general elections.

“It [PML-N] is no longer a party that says [the slogan] respect the vote (vote ko izzat do) or that agrees to Charter of Democracy but rather it has become the one which was part of IJI,” Bilawal said in an interview with Voice of America

IJI or Islami Jamhoori Ittehad was an alliance formed in 1988 to oppose the PPP in the elections that year. It comprised of nine parties including the PML-N, which at that time was called PML.

"This is the PML-N that dreams of becoming 'Amir-ul-Momineen,' so it is very difficult for me to continue with the PML-N."

The PPP chairman said that PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif was once again dreaming of becoming “Amirul Momineen”, therefore, it will be difficult for the PPP to be in an alliance with PML-N.

He accused Nawaz of exerting pressure on the administration to manipulate the elections, alleging that the caretaker government and administration were favouring the former prime minister.

“The caretaker prime minister was appointed following deliberations between Shehbaz Sharif and Raja Riaz and now Raja Riaz was contesting elections on a PML-N ticket,” he added.

Expressing concern over the arrest of their supporters in Sindh by FIA, Bilawal said that attempts by PML-N to divide the political structure would fail.

To reduce the role of the establishment in politics, Bilawal suggested that the first step must be taken by politicians themselves, urging political leaders to confine their differences within the political arena.

The former foreign minister emphasised that politicians should adhere to the rules and principles of politics. “If we don’t work within our limits and cross it then we should not expect others not to cross their limits as well,” he said in an apparent reference to the military establishment.

Bilawal pointed out that the May 9 incident was not within the boundaries of politics and stressed the need for politicians to establish a code of conduct and all should adhere to it.  

"If Nawaz Sharif becomes the prime minister, we will see what ideology he pursues. The PML-N is currently pursuing politics of hatred and division. If Nawaz Sharif wants to leave this path, he should abandon this policy,” he said.

Bilawal concluded by expressing the party's desire for transparent elections, expressing hope that despite Nawaz Sharif's pressure, the caretaker government would not interfere in the elections. He expressed optimism that the PPP would succeed and form the government.