KARACHI: Foreign Minister and PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said “when I was in opposition, I demanded early elections, don’t see the need now.”
In an interview with Al-Jazeera on Sunday, Bilawal said “before the vote-of-no-confidence, I led a campaign across the country where I demanded Mr Imran to dissolve his assembly and call for early elections but Mr Khan didn’t agree. “
When I was in opposition and demanded early elections, Mr Khan didn’t agree. Before the vote-of-no-confidence, I led a campaign across the country where I demanded Mr Imran to dissolve his assembly and call for early elections – FM @BBhuttoZardari
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) December 4, 2022
He said “the significant democratic achievement for Pakistan from 2007 up until 2022 is that every single parliament during that time completed its five-year term.” He said the early elections would only further Imran Khan’s agenda and undermine the democratic process.
He said “as far as the previous government is concerned, we inherited a lot from them. We inherited a divided country, an economy on the brink of default, a foreign policy that left us isolated, and problems internally and externally.”
Talking about recent wave of terrorism, Bilawal said TTP had been involved in heinous terrorist attacks in the past, and terrorist attacks were still ongoing.
“We expect to work with Afghanistan & the interim authorities there to address the challenges posed by the terrorist organisation,” he added. He said Pakistan will work with Afghan interim government to address the challenge posed by terrorist outfits.
The Foreign Minister said engaging with Afghanistan is not only in the interest of Pakistan but also the whole neighborhood.
Referring to the fascist policies of BJP government, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said since Narendra Modi’s election, the space for Muslims in India as well as in Kashmir is shrinking.
Emphasizing on resolution of Kashmir issue, he said it is an unfinished agenda of partition.
The Foreign Minister said people of Pakistan as well as India want to live in peace. However, he said in order to achieve this objective, it is essential to respect international laws and conventions to address the issue of terrorism and extremism.
