Karachi: Pakistan Peoples’ Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that although his party is trying to build consensus on elections among country’s political leadership, any dialogue would be futile if it is carried out “With gun to your head”.

He made these comments as Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial requested political leaders to hold negotiations earlier in day after Supreme  Court resumed hearing petition seeking to hold general elections for all national and provincial assemblies simultaneously across country.

He said that PPP supports holding elections on same day and is prepared to talk to anyone to achieve this goal. Bilawal said PPP was attempting to persuade JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman or any other party who is unwilling to engage in negotiations. “Our efforts are aimed at saving democracy, which is currently in danger,” he said.

He warned that if issues remain unresolved, then there is danger to both federation and democracy. Bilawal hoped that CJP would establish consensus within his institution before leaving his post. “Our history has never witnessed such fragmentation within judiciary.

Supreme Court is currently undergoing trial before people.” He said that if elections are held in one province separately, it will have an impact on remaining three provinces, adding that political stability will lead to economic stability. “We opposed One Unit in past and we still oppose it today. There is conspiracy to reintroduce it once again,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto will lead Pakistan delegation to meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held in Goa, India on May 4-5, Foreign Office spokesperson announced. In her weekly press briefing, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told media that Foreign Minister was attending SCO CFM meeting at invitation of current Chair of SCO CFM, Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs of India.

Our participation in meeting reflects Pakistan commitment to SCO Charter and processes and importance that Pakistan accords to region in its foreign policy priorities, she remarked.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 21 2023

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