ISLAMABAD: A rift has emerged between the Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) as Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif for his narrative against the army and state institutions.
In an interview with a British media outlet, Bilawal said it was Nawaz Sharif’s decision to accuse the military leadership of removing him from power and rigging in the 2018 general elections, stating that the former prime minister did not substantiate the claims with any evidence.
During the public gathering in Gujranwala, Nawaz Sharif had accused Chief of Army Staff General Qammar Javed Bajwa and ISI chief Lt. General Faiz Hameed of having a direct role in removing him from power. The statement was criticised in political and social circles before the PPP distanced himself from the narrative.
When asked if implicating the army was part of PDM’s agenda during the All-Parties Conference, Bilawal replied that Nawaz Sharif has not mentioned any names and there was intense whether to blame one institution or the entire establishment.
Bilawal said he was shocked when he heard Nawaz Sharif directly name the military leaders during the Gujranwala rally. “It was a shock to me because we don’t usually talk like that in meetings. But Nawaz Sharif has his own party and I cannot control how he speaks,” said the PPP chairman.
When asked if the PDM was a platform to pressurise the army, Bilawal said the opposition alliance does demand the resignation of the military leadership. He said Nawaz Sharif would not have named anyone without proof and such allegations should be substantiated with evidence.
Bilawal termed naming the military leadership and making direction accusation as a “personal and party” decision of Nawaz Sharif and PML-N, adding he would not take such a stance as he does not mentions them in meetings.
“I am sure that he would not have been named without clear and solid evidence. This is not an accusation that you make against anyone in a meeting,” he said. Bilawal added he was unable to get the opportunity to meet Nawaz Sharif due to coronavirus pandemic and would want to discuss the issue directly with him.
Bilawal said he was waiting for Nawaz Sharif to come forward and present evidence. He said the blame for bringing in Imran Khan’s government cannot be placed on any individual directly. He said his party was fully committed to the agenda of the APC and will continue to struggle against the government.
Bilawal has attended the Gujranwala and Karachi rallies of the PDM, while he addressed a meeting in Quetta via video link. Prime Minister Imran Khan had said about the PDM’s statement against the army was an attempt to create a clash within the armed forces.
Replying to a question in this, Bilawal said that the prime minister was using the institutions as his ‘Tiger Force’ and brought the institution into disrepute.
“No such name was taken, but it was said that the word establishment would be used instead of the name of the army or any one institution,” he said, adding that it was the opinion of PML-N and Nawaz Sharif and they have full right to express it.
When asked whether the PPP believed in overthrowing an elected government through protest, Bilawal said his party had always tried its best to achieve the goal in a democratic manner.
