LONDON: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has challenged Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to bring his criticism of Pakistan’s political and governance system to parliament, saying the country’s future cannot be decided by a handful of businessmen.
Speaking to the media in London, Bilawal said that if Naqvi believed the system had failed, the issue should be debated in the National Assembly to determine the reasons behind its weaknesses and discuss measures to address them.
Why does Bilawal want the issue debated in parliament?
Bilawal said political and governance issues should be discussed by elected representatives rather than at business forums. He also criticised Naqvi’s limited attendance in the National Assembly and said he was prepared to debate the issue with any federal minister or government representative on the parliamentary floor.
The PPP chairman said problems within Pakistan’s political system were longstanding and could not be resolved through slogans. He called for an open discussion on the causes of institutional weaknesses and possible solutions.
On the creation of new provinces, Bilawal said the PPP’s position had remained consistent. He said the views of people in Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab and Sindh should be reflected through their elected representatives and provincial assemblies.
Can new provinces solve Pakistan’s political and economic problems?
Bilawal rejected the argument that creating new provinces would by itself resolve political instability, poverty, unemployment and inflation. He said the issue should be considered in light of the views of the people and their elected representatives.
He also rejected speculation that the PPP was preparing to end cooperation with the federal government, saying talks between PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) representatives were continuing.
Bilawal criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s decision to boycott parliamentary bodies, committees and elections, saying the move was harmful to the opposition and parliament as an institution.
Regarding the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, Bilawal reiterated his reservations about the electoral process and said PPP and PML-N representatives were discussing the party’s concerns.
Asked about his recent Austria visit and speculation surrounding it, Bilawal dismissed the speculation and described the visit as “very good.”
He also questioned claims that roads had been dug up and routes blocked during Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s recent visit to Sindh, saying he welcomed political activity.