Bilawal says not to allow anyone to rig polls

ISLAMABAD/ SUKKUR: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned those who intend to rig the elections, asserting that he will not allow anyone to tamper with his party’s mandate and if they do it, he will chase them in such a way that they will forget Imran Khan.

Addressing the final grand public meeting of his month-long nationwide election campaign at the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Municipal Stadium in Larkana on Tuesday, he said the PTI and PMLN would not work towards bringing political stability and, consequently, economic stability in the country. “‘Let me tell you today that if either of them wins, the next day they will resume the politics of sit-ins and protests. We have witnessed this three times and know what will happen the fourth time.”

He asserted that their focus would be on politics of revenge instead of serving the people once again. Without explicitly naming Nawaz Sharif, he mentioned that he had become the prime minister three times but each time was engaged in conflicts with those who facilitated his ascent. “Now, attempting to become the prime minister for the fourth time, he gives the impression that he has already assumed the role. The tiger’s path needs to be blocked by stamping the arrow,” he said.

He said as prime minister, he would focus on two main objectives and his first task would be to unite the entire country by ending the politics of hatred and division, and his second task would be to provide relief to people.

He said the era of old politicians and their parties had now become a thing of the past, transforming politics into personal enmity and abuse. “We have endured a lot for all of them, (and) suffered consequences of their actions. They say something before becoming prime minister and do something else after assuming office,” he said and emphasized that the prime ministers from Larkana are known for their truthfulness and they are the ones who keep their promises. He attributed the damage done to the country’s economy, Federation and democracy to elderly politicians. “‘They don’t realize the extent of people’s troubles. They show no concern for the state of democracy,” he said, adding that the old political parties neither formulated election manifestos nor engaged with the public for votes or conducted proper election campaigns because “they seem to think that people are fools”.

Discussing the position of opposition parties in the elections, the PPP chairman remarked that PMLN’s condition was very weak. He issued a warning to those who “intend to rig the elections”, asserting that he would not allow anyone to tamper with his party’s mandate.

Meanwhile, PPP leader Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has advised people to consider the track record of the parties at the time of casting votes. Addressing a party convention in Anwarabad, Larkana, she said other parties are doing politics for personal gains while the PPP considers serving the people as a part of its faith. “Rich or poor, everyone needs quality healthcare treatment and that was why the primary focus of our government was on basic health,” said Aseefa. “We have established institutions like the NICVD in Sindh, Child Life Foundation, SIUT and Gambat Institute to treat an array of ailments free of cost. People from all over Pakistan come to Sindh for treatment,” she added.