- Bilawal says Pakistan cannot be run by businessmen.
- PPP chairman maintains reservations over Azad Kashmir elections.
- Bilawal dismisses speculation surrounding Austria visit.
LONDON: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has challenged Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to take his criticism of Pakistan’s “collapsed” political and governance system to parliament.
Bilawal said the country’s fate could not be decided by “a handful of businessmen” at business forums. He made the remarks while speaking to the media in London.
Bilawal Wants Governance Debate in Parliament
Bilawal said Naqvi had every right to express his views. However, if the interior minister believed the system had failed, Bilawal argued that parliament should debate the issue.
He said lawmakers should determine why the system had failed and what measures could fix its weaknesses.
“It cannot be the case that the fate of the country is decided by a handful of businessmen,” the PPP chairman said.
Bilawal insisted that elected representatives should address questions about Pakistan’s political system and governance.
He also criticised Naqvi for his limited attendance in the National Assembly.
“Mr Mohsin Naqvi does not come to the National Assembly very often, so instead of business forums, he should come to parliament,” Bilawal said.
The PPP chairman added that he was ready to debate the issue with any federal minister or government representative on the floor of parliament.
PPP Position on New Provinces
Bilawal said problems within Pakistan’s political system were not new. He argued that slogans alone could not solve the country’s longstanding challenges.
Instead, he called for an open debate about the causes of the system’s failures and possible solutions.
Asked whether Naqvi was speaking on behalf of someone else, Bilawal responded: “Mr Mohsin Naqvi is speaking for himself, and I speak for myself.”
The PPP chairman also discussed the growing debate over the creation of new provinces. He said the PPP had maintained its position on the issue for a long time.
He referred to Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab and Sindh while stressing that the wishes of the people should guide any decision through elected representatives and provincial assemblies.
However, Bilawal warned against presenting new provinces as a solution to every political and economic problem.
“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.
Bilawal Rejects Speculation About PPP Exit
Bilawal rejected speculation that the PPP planned to end its cooperation with the federal government.
He said discussions between PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) representatives were continuing.
“At present, we are fully engaged with the federal government,” he said.
He also criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for boycotting parliamentary bodies, committees and elections.
According to Bilawal, the strategy could hurt PTI, the opposition and parliament as an institution.
“I believe PTI’s decision to boycott all bodies, all committees, and elections is not only wrong for PTI and wrong for the opposition, but it is also not good for parliament as an institution,” he said.
PPP Maintains Reservations Over AJK Elections
Bilawal renewed his criticism of Pakistan’s electoral system and said he had held reservations about the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections from the beginning.
He said the PPP continued to have concerns over the elections. Talks between the PPP and PML-N were also underway to address the party’s complaints.
Bilawal Responds to Austria Visit Speculation
Bilawal also faced questions about his recent visit to Austria, which sparked speculation in Pakistan, including rumours about his marriage plans.
“If you create the speculation yourself and then ask me about it afterward, that is quite amusing,” Bilawal said.
When asked whether he enjoyed his Austria visit, he simply replied: “It was very good.”
Comments on Sohail Afridi’s Sindh Visit
Bilawal also responded to PTI claims that authorities had dug up roads and blocked routes during Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s recent visit to Sindh.
“I don’t think any roads were dug up. I haven’t seen the statement. I certainly welcomed him. I believe political activity should take place,” Bilawal said.
He added that political activity should continue across the country.
Bilawal Congratulates Maryam Nawaz
Bilawal also congratulated Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on the graduation of her youngest daughter.
The two political leaders spoke separately to the media in London on Tuesday evening.
