One party conspired to throw out PPP from Punjab: Bilawal | The Express Tribune

Taking a dig at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), a former coalition partner, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday once again decried a lack of a level-playing field to his party in the wake of upcoming general elections in the country, emphasising that his grievance primarily pertains to one particular party.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore following the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting, Bilawal reiterated his call for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to promptly announce the election date.

“The complaint about [lack of] level-playing field is from one party. Hopefully, all our issues will be resolved and if that happens, I will talk more openly,” he added.

Bilawal said that his party has concerns regarding elections and other issues, adding that the party’s CEC has authorised PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari to take steps in this regard.

Read more: PPP may reassess polls demand

In an apparent reference to PML-N, he said a political party, in connivance with General (retd) Shuja Pasha and former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, “conspired to throw PPP out of the political landscape in Punjab”. However, he added that the party “paid the price” itself in what Bilawal described as a “political mistake”.

“An ally falls to our feet when they are in trouble but when they get out of it, they go for our neck,” he remarked.

In 2018, Bilawal continued, another political party — referring to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) this time — General (retd) Faiz Hameed and former chief justice Saqib Nisar also conspired against PPP.

Regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on NAB law earlier in the day, he said that the decision was expected, expressing his readiness to confront any legal challenges, whether under old or new NAB laws.

“We have two opinions on this matter. First, NAB was created by a dictator and should be dissolved. Second, there should be an impartial accountability process in the country,” he added.

Also read: PPP to ‘merge’ Zardari, Bilawal’s opposing stances

On a possible political alliance with PTI, Bilawal said that his party was in favour of holding talks with the former ruling party. However, the party had decided to only engage in talks with those politicians who were not part of the May 9 conspiracy.

“I wished that they (PTI) had listened to us. But instead, they planned to attack military institutions, GHQ and Jinnah House,” he added.

He further said that the PPP was open for negotiations with any party not involved in militant activities.