• Calls for unified approach to handle country’s problems; broadsides PDM for abandoning ‘charter of economy’
• Sanaullah says election schedule to come 54 days after delimitation; rules out electoral alliance with PPP

MUZAFFARGARH / LAHORE: In a thinly-veiled criticism of former coalition partner PML-N, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Wednesday that no one knew when the general elections would be held, but a “certain party” already had such information.

“No one knows when the elections are supposed to be held, not me, or the chief election commissioner, but a certain party already has the information. This is the reason I talk about level playing field,” the PPP chairman said while talking to reporters and addressing a gathering in Muzaffargarh where he came to offer condolences to former state minister Mehr Irshad Ahmad Sial over death of his brother.

His remarks came against the backdrop of statements by some PML-N leaders who have been claiming that the upcoming general elections will take place in February next year.

Last week, former interior minister and PML-N Punjab president Rana Sanaullah posted on social media platform X that there was no need to panic. “General elections will be held in February,” he said.

Also on Wednesday, Mr Sanaullah claimed that the next election schedule would be announced within 54 days after the delimitation process was completed.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari said the previous government was run by an alliance of the PDM and the PPP and each of them are answerable for their own ministerial performances. He said the problems of the country were such that one party could not claim that it alone would be able to handle everything; “we have to move forward with a united approach”.

“It is unfortunate that political polarisation has turned us into enemies instead of political opponents. We would need to create an equilibrium which allows for all political parties to operate independently but work unitedly for the country.”

As far as delimitations are concerned, he said, if they are to take place, they could be done in 90 days as per the Constitution. If they are to be delayed, then the Election Commission of Pakistan can see to it that at least the date is given, he added.

He said the Pakistan Democratic Movement does not seem interested in the ‘charter of economy’ anymore.

“We had also wished for a second CoD to take place. It is very difficult for us to engage those who were directly involved in anti-nation acts such as the perpetrators of May 9, but the rest, regardless of their political affiliation, are all citizens of Pakistan and we are willing to work with them for the sake of the country.”

Mr Bhutto-Zardari said the PPP will devise its strategy regarding the elections in its Central Executive Committee meeting on Thursday (tomorrow), adding that it is his personal wish for every constituency to be won by ‘arrow’, the party’s election symbol.

He said seat-adjustment with other parties in some constituencies will be decided at the CEC meeting.

‘No alliance with PPP’

Separately, Rana Sanaullah made it clear that the PML-N had decided in principle not to have any alliance with the PPP in the country, especially in Punjab.

Talking to reporters in Lahore, the former interior minister indirectly asked Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari not to doubt about holding of elections. “There is no point in doubting whether the elections will be held or not. The upcoming polls will be held under new delimitations. The election schedule will be announced within 54 days after the delimitation process is completed,” he clarified.

He said the PDM government’s tenure was over and now the party would forge an alliance only after the polls. “PML-N will also go for a seat-adjustment at a very small level,” he said, ruling out both political alliance or seat-adjustment with the PPP.

“We will not form any kind of alliance with the PPP, especially in Punjab. We will contest independently.

Mr Sanaullah said that since all parties were going into polls, the PPP had a right to speak against the PML-N politically. “We will respond to its leaders’ statements against us at an appropriate time,” he said.

He demanded that those involved in attacks on the military and state installations on May 9 should not be allowed to do politics and take part in elections.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2023