• Says environment ‘conducive’ for elections, Peoples Party ready for contest
• PML-N ‘endorses’ statement, asks all political leaders to sit together to overcome crises

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: A day after sharing apprehensions regarding the lack of level playing field in the lead-up to polls, PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday reposed confidence in the Election Commission of Pakistan’s ability to hold transparent elections — a stance appreciated and “endorsed” by PML-N.

The remarks made by the former president seemingly contradicted the reservations aired by his son Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari who has been holding political gatherings to charge up the party support base in the run-up to the Feb 8 polls as well as taking swipes at former ally PML-N. A day earlier, the PPP chairman likened the current political scenario to that of 1988.

“Was there any level playing field in 1988 when IJI [coalition] was formed against [former prime minister] Benazir Bhutto? But still, Benazir Bhutto won the election and became the first female prime minister of the country,” he had said.

In a statement on Sunday, Asif Zardari said, “I have full confidence in the Election Commission of Pakistan that it will hold fair and transparent elections.”

The ex-president said the environment was conducive for elections and they should be held on time.

He said PPP was the only party which had the ability to contest elections in all kinds of environments. “I am sure that on February 8, PPP will emerge as the majority party of the country,” he added.

Only a day before, Mr Zardari informed UK envoy Jane Marriott about reservations expressed by his party members about the transparency of elections. In a comment about the meeting, a PPP leader had told Dawn, “…[Zardari] conveyed his feelings and thoughts within the party ranks about how one party [PML-N] is already seen coming into power months before the polls. The indicators and sentiments do not support the claims of level playing field.”

It may be noted that in addition to PPP, the PTI has also alleged that PML-N is getting undue favours from the powers that be ahead of elections. They point to the caretaker set-up — which has the inclusion of pro-Sharif men — to corroborate their claims.

‘N’ welcomes remarks

Speaking about the allegations levelled at her party, PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb welcomed the statement made by the PPP leader and suggested politicians should sit together to resolve the issues faced by the country instead of indulging in blame-game.

“The country cannot afford politics based on personal benefits. Therefore, all politicians will have to sit together to resolve the issues being faced by the country,” she said, adding, “Taunts of favouritism cannot deviate PML-N from its objective of making electricity, gas, and bread affordable for the people of Pakistan after coming to power.”

Marriyum Aurangzeb said Nawaz Sharif was ousted from office “for not receiving salary from his son” whereas PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah was also framed in a drugs case. “[Nawaz Sharif] is being called as ‘ladla’ (blue-eyed). A ‘ladla’ who had served the country but was disqualified for not receiving salary from [the company of] his son and was kept in the death cell.”

She said such allegations were counterproductive and political leaders should focus on important issues.

In a jibe at rival political parties, Ms Aurangzeb said even opponents were convinced that Nawaz Sharif would become the next prime minister.

“The one who wins the mandate of the masses will become the prime minister; however, political opponents of PML-N are also seeing [the fact] that Nawaz Sharif will be the next prime minister,” the PML-N information secretary told reporters.

Referring to PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s remarks that PML-N gave the massive price hike to the country while heading for 16 months a coalition government of which the PPP was also a partner, she said the country was on the brink of default when the coalition government came to power. Still, it successfully prevented default through economic and legal steps. The policy, she claimed, benefited the country.

She said that her party could defend every step taken during their time in power because a record of every file was available with the departments concerned.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2023