Polls to lose significance if rigged: Bilawal

NOWSHERA: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Monday said the people would not accept the results if free and fair elections were not held.

Addressing a convention of party workers here in the Pabbi town, he hoped the Election Commission of Pakistan and Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa would ensure free and fair elections.

He said it should be ensured that the upcoming elections were not controversial and questions were not raised about the results. The PPP leader asked what the purpose of spending billions of rupees was if free and fair elections were not held.

“If free and fair elections do not take place, then the next government will not be able to represent the country and solve its problems. We will witness the same old outcome with one side ruling the country unjustly while the other crying foul,” he maintained. “It is our request to other political parties not to waste their manifestos and narratives by contesting elections with the help of administration. We do not need help of any administration, as PPP trusts the masses because we know that they will vote for us,” he believed.

Bilawal said the country was facing a plethora of issues, including inflation, poverty and unemployment, adding the government was doing nothing to rectify them. He said peace was established with much difficulty through the sacrifices of the people and security forces.

“We worked hard to chase out the terrorists, but they were brought in and released, which led to catastrophic consequences. The police and army are being targeted,” he noted with concern.

Bilawal said only the PPP could address the issue of poverty and unemployment, which were increasing rapidly. “Those who criticise the slogan of ‘Roti, Kapra Aur Makaan’ should know that as long as these problems persist, the party will continue to raise them. For the PPP, this is not just a slogan because we do not forget our manifesto after winning the elections. It is my promise to the people of the country that I will fight for them and run economy as per the principles of Bhutto. Only then benefits can be reaped by farmers, labourers and not the elite,” he added.

He said former prime minister and PMLN Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was of the view that if someone was investing in the country, they should not be questioned. “However, we will keep asking them whether they are taking care of our labourers, increasing their wages and looking after their wellbeing,” he added.

Bilawal said he only looked to the people and was ready to serve them day and night if they gave him an opportunity. “However, if they opt for someone else, PPP will have no qualms,” he said. Without naming the PTI chief and former prime minister Imran Khan, he said there used to be a man who wanted to send everyone to prison, but now he himself was imprisoned.