Bilawal asks Imran to repent to improve political atmosphere

ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said the imprisonment of Imran Khan has nothing to do with the elections. “If he is innocent, he should be released but should remain in prison if he has done something wrong,” he said.

Talking to newsmen after attending a hearing of the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto reference in the Supreme Court on Monday, he said Imran Khan will have to repent, and only then we will be able to create a better environment and added “what is happening now is not that bad, much worse has happened in the past”.

During the press conference, he was accompanied by his aunt, Sanam Bhutto and sister Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. Bilawal expressed the hope that the PPP would get justice. “We think that it is an opportunity to correct history,” he said adding that its legal precedent was never mentioned in any case. The way this verdict was reached at the behest of a dictator is being repeated again and again. “We also have the opportunity to correct our future course and ensure that such doors are closed forever. We hope that we will get justice and Justice Qazi Faez Isa and his brother judges will give a decision according to the law,” he said.

To another question by the journalists, the Chairman PPP said that we desired that the case should have been heard regularly instead of being adjourned till after the elections. “We hope that the case will be decided after the elections,” he said. The PPP holds a principled and ideological stance against the death sentence, he said “We do not think that our judicial system is so transparent that a death sentence can be given to anyone,” he said.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made it clear that come what may the February election will be held in line with the announced schedule and everyone should get ready to cast their vote. “Everyone should get ready for the elections as they would be held on February 8 February even if the United Nations passes a contradicting resolution,” he said.

To a question regarding the approval of the resolution in the Senate regarding the postponement of elections, Chairman PPP asked if there is more weight in the words of the Chief Justice or the words of a few senators.

Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari anticipated the formation of a coalition government after the upcoming general elections slated to be held on February 8. Bilawal, in an interview with a private news channel, said: “Whether it is led by PMLN or any other party, the next government will be a coalition [regime].”

In November last year, his father, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, had also predicted the formation of a “national unity government” after the polls. Stressing that only the PPP can take the country forward, Bilawal claimed that PMLN supreme leader Nawaz Sharif would take “revenge” on those who had ousted him from the government if he returned to power.

To another question, the former foreign minister said the PMLN leaders should be questioned about the sailing of a Senate resolution seeking a delay in general elections. “How can a resolution be tabled in the Senate without getting approval from the leader of the house?”

Bilawal, however, ruled out the possibility of any delay in the conduct of the nationwide polls based on the Senate resolution. He seconded Asif Zardari’s statement that the next government could not be formed without PPP’s backing. Bilawal expressed hopes that his political party will lead the reconciliation process. Bilawal also hoped that the next prime minister would be a PPP leader.