PPP to save democracy if govt accepts Bilawal’s four demands: Khursheed

Says Imran biggest well-wisher of Nawaz; Saeed Ghani calls Imran political
suicide attacker; PTI chief wants to force all opposition parties to follow him

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Sunday advised the government to accept the four demands put forward by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to defuse the political crisis created by the PTI.

The four demands are: Re-constitution of a parliamentary committee on national security; passage of Panama Bill drafted by the PPP; implementation of the resolution on CPEC; and appointment of a foreign minister.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan has made Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif immensely powerful due to his wrong policies, politics and ego, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said.

Shah underlined that the PPP will save democracy only if the government accepts the four demands laid out by PPP Chairman Bilawal. He called Imran the biggest well-wisher of Nawaz.

He said due to the policies of Imran, Nawaz is being further strengthened. He said if nothing happens on November 2, who will be able to dare touch Nawaz and who will be responsible for this?

He said it is a golden opportunity for Nawaz to appear before the Supreme Court. He wants to get arrested so that he can become a great leader. Shah said he has earned money with hard work and he was used to wear full suit when his tormentors were in knickers.

During a press conference in Sukkur, Shah said the current situation in the country poses a great threat to democracy and if it worsened, PPP will not take the responsibility. “I fear that the government will not be able to complete its term till 2018,” he added. He reiterated that Imran is the biggest supporter of Nawaz. Shah said Nawaz should present himself in the court as it is a big opportunity for him.

The opposition leader said he would not lend his shoulder to the government for support. He added that the opposition is ready to talk with the government on the four demands put forward by Bilawal.

The PPP leader said that his party has given sacrifices for democracy and is with the poor of the country. “Other parties are bluffing about helping the poor,” he added. Shah said they are not in favour of shutting down cities. The opposition leader said closing down cities for having demands met is not appropriate. Shah said job of politicians is to provide relief to the masses and not causing them any problems.

He said the people of the county would be surprised over Punjab election results in 2018 as the people have been surprised over the PPP rally in Karachi. "Imran Khan has taken a solo flight but in fact he has assumed the role of a political suicide bomber," said PPP Senator Saeed Ghani addressing a press conference at Media Centre Islamabad along with PPP media coordinator Nazir Dhoki and Capt (R) Wasif.

Ghani said Imran’s bubble will burst the moment government fulfills the PPP demands. He said Imran cannot say he will not be responsible if democracy is affected by his protest and siege of Islamabad.

Nawaz Sharif became prime minister after an election full of irregularities and rigging but Imran provided him legitimacy by his Dharnas etc, he said. Ghani said decisions are taken with consensus in politics and the entire opposition had taken notice of Panama Papers and adopted legislation for investigation but Imran wants all opposition parties to follow his decision.

"Imran lacks political maturity and thinks that PTI is the only party of opposition," he added. He said Imran has every right to protest but siege of Islamabad and for that matter any city is not right.

"Imran has no strategy if his adventure goes wrong," Ghani said. He said government will be at a loss if it arrests Imran. He said Dharna and siege of Islamabad will not be sustainable and Imran will not succeed in his adventure.