Bilawal rules out half-term premiership

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari ruled out on Tuesday the possibility of becoming the prime minister for half term in the current set-up, saying his party already rejected such a proposal during the government's formation talks after the 2024 general elections.

In addition, Bilawal revealed that PPP hadn't become a part of the federal cabinet despite the latest inductions because the confidence level between the two major coalition partners — the PPP and the ruling PML-N — was not so high even after parliament entered into the second year.

Bilawal was talking to the media at his chamber at the Parliament House after the National Assembly's session, which was a condolence meeting in memory of late PPP National Assembly member Nawab Yousuf Talpur.

Bilawal said that PPP did not support the concept of 'half-term prime minister' when it sat down with the PML-N to discuss the contours of the government post-general elections. "We didn't come up to this agreement; we had rejected it," he said.

"Neither the confidence level was to such an extent at the time of government formation nor after a year where the Pakistan Peoples Party could formally become a part the government," he said. "Our confidence level has not yet reached the stage where the PPP can join the government."

Responding to a question, Bilawal said that he expected that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would honour the basic points agreed upon with the PPP as part of their political understanding. The prime minister instructed his team to "address our grievances in yesterday's meeting", he added.

Meanwhile, Bilawal said that President Zardari made a historic speech at the joint parliamentary session on Monday. In his address, President Zardari clearly pointed out the government's one-sided policies, particularly the decision to make new canals from the Indus, he added.

"The government is under strain due to the [canals] issue," Bilawal said, "and the decision should be reviewed and resolved." Bilawal added that there was no reason for the government not to accept the suggestions given by President Zardari in his parliamentary address.

Pertaining to the upcoming budget, Bilawal said that he hopes that "the PPP and PML-N, as per their agreement would collectively draft it along with the PSDP [Public Sector Development Programme] for the four provinces."

Regarding the Iftar dinner with Shehbaz, Bilawal said that he was grateful to him for hosting the PPP's delegation. He said inflation was the most important issue, upon which the parties contested the elections, and now that the indicators were improving.

He further said the PPP raised its concerns, including the law and order situation in Balochistan and K-P. Bilawal said that he requested the prime minister to beckon the K-P government towards resolving this issue. It is also the federation's responsibility to look after these issues, as they could not abandon K-P to the whims of the current provincial regime.

Responding to various questions, Bilawal said that it is the media's responsibility to disseminate the truth only and "the opposition's propaganda should not be repeated". He said PPP has been the first party to raise its voice against issues encroaching on the rights of the provinces.