Enough is enough, let democracy, country go on: Bilawal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday gave a message to all the forces of the country on the current political situation, saying that enough is enough now, and the country and democracy should be allowed to move on.

“It was demoralising for my entire generation in the last few days to see the writ of the state erode, to see the abject surrender of the state, to see the rule of law made a mockery of, to see the freedom of press strangled, but now I want to give a message to all the forces that enough is enough and let the country move ahead,” he said while addressing a press conference at the Zardari House here on the eve of the 50th foundation of the PPP after hoisting the party flag and cutting of cake.

Bilawal said he was disappointed by the agreement signed with the Faizabad dharna protesters and if he thought only about the PPP, then he could demand the resignation of the government, but the current political situation demanded that the whole episode should be investigated either through a parliamentary committee or a judicial commission.

“If we want to strengthen the country, then all of us have to strengthen democracy.” He said the elections should be held as per schedule and the present government should complete its tenure. “The country has seen the transfer of power from one civilian government to another when the PPP completed its tenure and now again we want a smooth transfer of power from one civilian government to another,” he said.

But at the same time, he termed the provisional results of population census “controversial’ saying the people of Sindh, Balochistan and south Punjab had also complained about the census.

“Even the people of Fata are not happy with the census. Nine million people are missing from Sindh. And that was the reason that we took up the matter with the Council of Common Interests where we demanded 5 percent audit of the provisional results of the census,” he said and added that once the government agreed with the demand of the PPP, it will support the constitutional amendment.

On the PPP completing 50 years, Bilawal Bhutto said this was not just an opportunity for celebration but introspection as well. “We have to see what our weaknesses are , what we have learned from our mistakes.”

Alongside, he said the party members must also focus on the ways they can make deceased party leaders such as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Nusrat Bhutto proud. Bilawal said the celebrations won't continue for just one day rather it will be a year-long process.

"We will hold a rally at the Islamabad Parade Ground on December 5," he said, adding that the PPP will hold different conferences in different cities throughout the year. He said the PPP was the only ideological party and if there was a constitution in the country and right to vote for every Pakistani, it was just because of the PPP.

“It was the PPP that gave the country nuclear and missile technology and first woman prime minister,” he said and added that the PPP will continue its struggle to take the country and economy ahead.

He said despite braving the worst onslaughts, conspiracies and media trials by three dictatorial regimes and their puppets, the PPP was here to stay and continue to make history. He said in the struggle for a democratic and invincible Pakistan with an egalitarian society, the PPP lost its founder chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and thousands of workers. “But the struggle is on and the convoy of democracy and downtrodden masses is still marching towards our mission,” he added.