PPPP advises PML-N to call polls if in danger

The Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), a major ally in the coalition government, advised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Sunday to dissolve the National Assembly and call fresh elections if it felt that there was any danger to the government.

PPPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that the party was still ready to strengthen the government in parliament but it should deliver. He warned that if the system derailed it would be a loss to the country.

"If the government is in danger, why hasn't it informed us? If the government perceives a threat, the prime minister should send advice to dissolve the assembly and call new elections," Bukhari said. "Parliament is ready to strengthen the government, but it should deliver."

Amid ongoing political tensions, Bukhari said that President Asif Zardari has been calling for a dialogue. "The People's Party believes in the supremacy of the Constitution. The solution [to the current situation] will also come according to the Constitution. If the system derailed, it would be the country's loss.

However, Bukhari stressed that talks could be held with "someone you trust", adding that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was an untrustworthy person, as he thought that taking U-turns was the zenith of his politics.

"One day he says they are ready to talk to the establishment. The other day he says Mahmood Achakzai has been given authority to hold talks. And the next day, he says no. Imran Khan considers the U-turn the height of his political strategy," he said.

Bukhari emphasised that PPP policies have benefited the country, including its rivals. "The credit for Nawaz Sharif's return [from Saudi exile] goes to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Would Nawaz Sharif have returned if Pervez Musharraf had not doffed off his uniform?"

Before the February 8 general elections, Bukhari said, the PPPP had decided that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would be its candidate for the post of prime minister. However, the party was deprived of several seats under a plan. "However, we accepted the election results with reservations," he added.

He blamed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for failing to hold transparent general elections in the country on February 8. "We hold the Election Commission responsible, only the Election Commission can tell who was behind it," he added.

The PPPP secretary general said that if the party did not support the PML-N in forming the federal government, the parliament and the office of the chief executive of the country would be unable to function.