LONDON, Sep 09 (Alliance News): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has challenged Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to take his criticism of the country’s “collapsed” political and governance system to parliament, saying national decisions should not be made at business forums.
Speaking to journalists in London, Bilawal said Naqvi was entitled to express his views but, if he believed the existing system had failed, the issue should be debated in the National Assembly to identify its weaknesses and determine how they could be addressed.
“It cannot be the case that the fate of the country is decided by a handful of businessmen,” Bilawal said, stressing that questions concerning the country’s political system should be addressed by elected representatives.
Taking a direct swipe at Naqvi’s limited presence in the National Assembly, Bilawal said the interior minister should come to parliament instead of discussing such matters primarily at business forums.
Bilawal said he was ready to debate the issue with any federal minister or government representative on the floor of parliament.
He said Pakistan’s political system had long faced problems and weaknesses and that these could not be resolved through slogans. He called for an open discussion on the causes of the system’s shortcomings and possible solutions.
Asked whether Naqvi was speaking on behalf of someone else, Bilawal said the interior minister was speaking for himself and that he too was expressing his own views.
New provinces debate
On the growing debate over the creation of new provinces, Bilawal said the PPP’s position had remained consistent and was not a recent development.
He said the views of people in regions including Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab and Sindh should be reflected through their elected representatives and provincial assemblies.
Bilawal cautioned against portraying new provinces as a solution to Pakistan’s wider political and economic challenges.
“You cannot simply say that by creating new provinces, you will solve the problems of political instability, poverty, unemployment, and the tsunami of inflation,” he said.
The PPP chairman also rejected speculation that his party was preparing to end its cooperation with the federal government.
He said talks between PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) representatives were continuing and stressed that the PPP remained fully engaged with the federal government.
Bilawal criticises PTI boycott
Bilawal criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for boycotting parliamentary bodies, committees and elections, saying the strategy was damaging to the party, the opposition and parliament as an institution.
He said political parties should participate in parliamentary processes rather than withdraw from them.
Bilawal also reiterated his reservations over the electoral process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, saying he had raised concerns about the elections from the beginning.
He said discussions between the PPP and PML-N were under way to address the party’s reservations.
Response to Austria speculation
Bilawal also dismissed speculation surrounding his recent visit to Austria, including rumours about his personal life and possible marriage plans.
Responding to a question about the speculation, he said it was amusing that people created rumours themselves and then asked him to respond to them.
Asked whether he enjoyed his visit to Austria, Bilawal replied that it was “very good”.
The PPP chairman also questioned claims that roads had been dug up or routes blocked during Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s recent visit to Sindh.
“I don’t think any roads were dug up,” Bilawal said, adding that he had not seen the statement but welcomed the KP chief minister and believed political activity should continue.
Bilawal also congratulated Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on the graduation of her youngest daughter. Both leaders spoke separately to the media in London on Tuesday evening.
