Waiting for SC’s decision in PanamaLeaks case: Bilawal

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that he was waiting for the judgment of the Supreme Court in the PanamaLeaks case, so he could make the announcement of contesting the by-election. He said this while talking to the media here on Monday after inaugurating the 1.7 kilometre-long Sir Aga Khan Bridge, the longest bridge on the River Indus at Jhirk-Mulakatiar.

Replying to a question, he said that the track record shows that the courts didn’t give verdicts against the ruling Sharif brothers. “We are not hopeful of the verdict but definitely we are waiting to take decision (to contest the by-election) and then things would become clearer,” he said.

Replying to another question, the PPP chief said that the National Action Plan must be implemented in true letter and spirit. He added that it was necessary for restoring peace in the country. Bilawal Bhutto said extremism is a big challenge for our nation and we all have to fight against it.

Replying to a question about PML-N leader Irfanullah Marwat, the PPP chairman said: “It was just a meeting (between Asif Zardari and Marwat) and no decision was taken,” he said, adding that there was misunderstanding as no decision was taken about him joining the PPP.

Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto said that the PPP was the first government which had taken up the issue of providing clean drinking water to the people of Sindh. He added that the Sindh government was also taking necessary measures for this purpose.

In the start of his speech, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto congratulated Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for launching the longest bridge on the River Indus. “I am quite happy that the Sindh government has launched another bridge on the River Indus,” he said.

It may be noted that the Sindh government had recently launched the Thatta-Sujawal Bridge on the River Indus and on Monday Sir Aga Khan Bridge was inaugurated to connect Thatta and Tando Mohammad Khan.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the bridges on the River Indus were always constructed by the federal government, but the Sindh government had constructed another bridge on the River Indus this time keeping in view the problems, issues and requirements for development.

He said: “Sir Aga Khan Bridge has been constructed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode at a cost of Rs4.5 billion.” He further added that this bridge would connect Thatta and Tando Mohammad Khan and their adjoining areas with the Motorway (old Super Highway). He said that he was striving to provide quality education and health services to the people of Sindh. Earlier, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the chief minister inaugurated the bridge by unveiling the plaque.