ISLAMABAD: Dubbing his political opponent Nawaz Sharif ‘power hungry and unsympathetic’ to the plight of the masses, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said Peoples Party would prefer to form a government with the help of ‘independent candidates’.

In an interview with Reuters news agency in Larkana, the PPP leader said he would not join hands with PML-N or the embattled PTI and instead woo independent nominees contesting the Feb 8 elections.

“You know, lots of independent politicians, probably the highest [number] in our history, are taking part in the coming elections,” said the PPP chief, in an apparent reference to PTI-backed candidates, who are contesting the polls as independents after the former ruling party lost its ‘bat’ symbol, according to a Dawn.com report.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari plans to tap into widespread anger, saying he has a “concrete plan” to provide free electricity and boost social safety programmes, despite fiscal constraints.

PPP chief says there will be no political prisoners in his government

“What we propose is to completely restructure Pakistan’s development model, putting the threat of climate change front and centre,” he said, in a reflection of his party’s election manifesto.

“The implications of the decisions taken today are going to be faced by the youth of Pakistan. I think it would be better if they were allowed to make those decisions.”

Asked if he thought the military establishment backed former premier and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, he responded: “He is certainly giving the impression that he is relying on something other than the people of Pakistan to become prime minister for the fourth time.”

Sargodha rally

In Sargodha division’s Bhalwal town, Mr Bhutto-Zardari continued his criticism of three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, saying the PML-N supreme leader was seeking a fourth term even though his party failed to release a ‘public-oriented manifesto’. “They do not even feel what hardships the people of Pakistan confront every day,” he claimed, adding that his government would make the start of ‘people’s rule’ through the implementation of welfare schemes, such as the Kissan Card.

He said, “Other parties lack ideology and a clear manifesto. The leaders are oblivious to people’s sufferings and are only focused on how to evade jail.”

According to the PPP leader, his party believes “in serving the people who are the real master and have the power to give mandate”. He complained that only one party — an apparent reference to PML-N — was being given the level playing field.

‘End to politics of revenge’

He also asked political parties to put an end to the politics of revenge. Speaking about his mother Benazir Bhutto, he said: “She raised the slogan of ‘democracy is the best revenge’ and the same approach was followed by [his father] Asif Ali Zardari after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, as he raised the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappy’ in the larger interest of our homeland.”

Speaking about the situation in the lead-up to the polls, he said political workers were being harassed but PPP had experienced such oppression and political hardship and it would never wish it upon any other political worker.

He said there would be no political prisoners in his government and his government would never put behind bars the women supporters of his political opponents. The PPP leader regretted that the politics of hatred and revenge practised by old politicians had divided the entire society. “We will not engage in the politics of hatred, division, and revenge. Instead, we will solve problems by uniting everyone.”

The PPP chairperson said his party would also withdraw the subsidy of billions of rupees being given to fertiliser companies and the same would be given directly to farmers. He also claimed that the unemployed youth would receive monetary help and women would get interest-free loans to empower them.

The PPP leader said that he wanted to set up universities and technical colleges at the district level to enable everyone to get quality education at their doorstep. He further said that the PPP would ensure proper quality health facilities.

Sajjad Abbas Niazi in Sargodha contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2024