Bilawal says polls on Feb 8 even if UN, OIC pass resolutions

LAHORE: Amid apprehensions of a delay in general election in the country, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Saturday polls would be held on February 8 as per schedule even if “they” get resolutions passed from the UN [United Nations] or the OIC [Organisation of Islamic Cooperation].

The remark came during his press conference in Lahore, wherein he was questioned about the approval of a resolution by the Senate to delay the polls.

Bilawal said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had issued a schedule for elections on February 8, so the polls would be held on the same date.

“No matter if [they] get a resolution passed from the Senate, UN or OIC, elections will be held on February 8,” the former foreign minister told reporters.

He recalled Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa’s remarks of the election date being “set in stone”. He said everyone had trust in the remark of the top judge and stood by him on the matter. He hoped Pakistanis would have the chance to exercise their right to vote and form a government of their choice.

“[The] PPP will accept the decision of Pakistani people,” Bilawal said while expressing his desire that his party should be given a chance to address the issues of the country.

Responding to a question about the provision of a level playing field, the politician said the PPP had faced difficulties whenever it contested elections. He said other parties were contending that their candidates had been disqualified but a greater number of candidates were disqualified in the 2013 elections.

Bilawal said the PPP had always demanded free and fair elections in the country but, currently, he was focusing on the party’s 10-point agenda for the polls instead of complaining about a level playing field. “Our 10-point agenda is our manifesto [for the elections],” he added.

The PPP chairman said he would contest elections to implement his manifesto, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) was in the field to save its supremo from cases while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was contesting polls to bring its chief out of jail.

Bilawal also rebuked his political opponents, asserting that Lahore needed more work to be developed than other parts of the country. “I own Lahore, that is why I am contesting elections from Lahore. Efforts were made to topple us from Punjab’s political landscape.”

He said: “We have given the NFC Award so that Shehbaz Sharif can do work in Punjab. We believe Lahore belongs to us and we are ready for elections.”

Earlier, Bilawal Bhutto visited the NA-127 constituency in Lahore from where he is contesting the election on Feb 8. He reached the Grace Assemblies Church through different streets of Bihar Colony and was welcomed in the streets. The area people showered rose petals on him, and he met the founder and chairman of Grace Assemblies Church, Bishop Naeem Parshad. He cut the Christmas cake also.

He also visited the residence of Pastor Anwar Fazal of Eternal Life Church at NA-127 Modern Colony, Kot Lakhpat. He was informed about the problems being faced by the Christian community and he promised to solve those after coming to power.

Meanwhile, PMLN Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb also stressed that polls in the country would be held as per schedule.

Talking to the media after appearing before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore, she said the PMLN was the only party that opposed the Senate resolution. “Elections will be held on February 8 [even if] other parties cry or shout,” said Marriyum. She said election would be held on time no matter who was behind or at the front in passing the resolution in Senate.

She said the country would be handed over to people who did May 28 [nuclear explosions of Pakistan] and not to those who staged May 9 [attacks of military installations] on February 8. She said the person running away from courts was now running away from the elections. The people of Pakistan want elections on time and “we will not let him run away”.