ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said it seems that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has decided not to nominate his prime ministerial candidate, contrasting with the situation of Shahbaz Sharif.Speaking to reporters after condoling the family members of the 12-year-old laborer in Karachi’s New Karachi area, he said the Sunni Ittehad (PTI) Council should be honest with its workers as they lack majority in the National Assembly.He pointed out that PTI did not oppose the candidature of Shehbaz Sharif and lacks the necessary numbers to form the government. Bilawal speculated that Khan himself might have decided not to field a candidate against Shehbaz Sharif.Expressing concern over Pakistan’s economic situation, the PPP chairman said that merely writing a letter to the IMF would not be enough and the country’s crisis leading to rising unemployment and inflation would worsen. He criticized the prioritization of personal politics over the national interest.
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Regarding the violent incidents during the elections, including the martyrdom of two PPP workers in the central district of Karachi, and the tragic death of a 12-year-old youth, he criticized the unsatisfactory performance of the law enforcement agencies during the election campaign.He announced plans to form a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) after the formation of the Sindh government to investigate all incidents of violence during the elections and ensure justice for all those involved under the law.Reacting to allegations of rigging by political parties, the former foreign minister questioned the legitimacy of the claims and questioned whether his own Larkana seat was rigged. He accused political parties of resorting to allegations of machinations for extortion and vowed that the PPP would not indulge in such tactics.Bilawal highlighted the PPP’s victory in two provincial seats, PS-124 and PS-125 in Karachi, under Form 45, but alleged rigging in their allocation to other parties. He expressed hope for justice through legal channels and warned of further action if justice is not served and condemned forgery as a tool for victory.
