Bilawal warns Shehbaz-led govt of consequences for 'victimising political opponents like PTI regime'
1. PPP chief says incumbent rulers including him will be in "same jail" if they repay in the same coin
Bilawal Urges PTI Lawmakers to Maintain Working Relationship, Warns Against Political Victimization
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has called on PTI lawmakers to uphold a working relationship in Parliament, emphasizing that no institution can function without the supremacy of the Constitution. He urged PTI members to fight Imran Khan's legal battles based on merit, while also criticizing the coalition government, led by the PML-N, for arresting PTI lawmakers during Sunday’s crackdown.
Speaking on the National Assembly floor on Wednesday, Bilawal cautioned the government against repeating the tactics of the previous Imran Khan-led regime by targeting political opponents. “If the government’s sole focus is on who to imprison today just because Khan did this to us and damaged the political environment, it may bring temporary satisfaction, but tomorrow you and I could be in the same jail,” he warned.
Bilawal also criticized PTI lawmakers for maintaining a confrontational tone in Parliament similar to their public rallies. While acknowledging the right to pursue politics outside the house, he stressed the need for a responsible and cooperative approach within the parliamentary framework.
The PPP chief highlighted the need to respect the dignity of Parliament, urging lawmakers to maintain professional working relationships despite political differences. He noted that while the PML-N leads the government at the federal and Punjab levels, the PPP governs Sindh and Balochistan. Despite being coalition partners, the PPP and PML-N often differ on key issues, particularly economic policy.
Bilawal took a swipe at former Prime Minister Imran Khan, accusing him of damaging the political climate during his tenure from 2018 to 2022. However, he clarified that he holds no personal grudges against Khan, adding that he doesn’t care about who jailed his father or mother. He urged PTI lawmakers to continue their parliamentary roles and fight Khan’s legal case based on its merits, rather than abandoning their responsibilities.
He criticized PTI legislators for their refusal to engage in parliamentary processes during the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government's tenure, despite his advice not to leave the national and provincial assemblies. Bilawal expressed frustration that the PTI founder had ended all negotiations, stating, “If they want to proceed this way, we are fine with it.”
Bilawal also referred to the "Charter of Democracy" between the PPP and PML-N, lamenting that certain forces have always sought to disrupt political consensus, citing conspiracies led by former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.
In a move to unite political stakeholders, Bilawal called on National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to ensure the smooth functioning of the House and expand its scope across the country. Earlier in the day, the government and opposition unanimously agreed to form a 16-member committee to resolve issues in the aftermath of PTI lawmakers' arrests within Parliament House.
The session, presided over by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, followed heightened political tensions after several PTI lawmakers were arrested for allegedly violating the newly enacted Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024, during a public rally in Islamabad on Sunday. Following the arrests, the speaker suspended the House's Sergeant at Arms and four other security officials for failing to prevent the breach within Parliament.
