ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto on Tuesday said that there is no difference between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as both are products of dictatorship.
“PML-N is a brainchild of [former military ruler] Zia, and PTI [Pervez] Musharraf’s,” he told media in Islamabad, adding that their contest is not against these political parties but poverty and unemployment. The PPP chief criticised politicians for their exchange of harsh words against each other. “The low level of politics is very dangerous for the future of our country,” he warned.
Taking a hit at PTI Chairman Imran Khan and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal said, “If prominent leaders engage in such exchanges then the youth will think that this is how one is supposed to act. We should teach the youth to contribute in a positive way and not that rather than a battle of ideas you have to psychically attack people.”
“Our country cannot afford this kind of politics. My mother [Benazir Bhutto] taught me that how you conduct yourself in life is how you will be taken,” he upheld.
Bilawal thanked the nation for the ‘warm receptions’ as he continues to campaign across the country for the upcoming election, the first of his political career.
The Bhutto family scion stressed that he is focusing on his party’s manifesto and the problems currently faced by the country. “When my party’s members and I are in parliament, we will try our best to resolve the issues of the people,” he said. “We need to apprise the nation of the problems the country is facing because if we do not involve the public then how will we get out of these problems,” he stated.
Later, while addressing a party rally in Bharakahu, Islamabad, Bilawal pledged to fulfil the promises he’s making, adding the party has always battled poverty and gave the example of the Benazir Income Support Programme. He also promised to give interest-free loans to women so that they could gain financial independence.
The PPP chairman, later in the day, arrived at Faizabad in Rawalpindi, where he addressed a party rally. “We are not in competition with any political party or politician, we are fighting against poverty and deprivation,” he said, adding that the PPP has a history of saving and building Pakistan and it will resolve every issue through the power of the people.
Published in Daily Times, July 18th 2018.
