For stopping rigging, role of establishment in elections be stamped out, says Bilawal

KARACHI: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Monday advised PML-N that if PML-N has solid proof of rigging in NA-249 by-polls, it should contact the Election Commission of Pakistan, which is proper methods and forum.

Bilawal’s comments came during a press conference, held at the Bilawal House in Karachi.

“Since PML-N has lost the seat, they want the army to interfere in the matter.” It should be recalled that in 2018, the army was deployed at all the polling stations of the country.

He termed the PML-N’s demand “unreasonable,” to hand over the ballot boxes to the army for recounting adding that the PPP does not support such demands. He advised PML-N to approach relevant methods and forum.

“While Imran Khan is speaking about dissolving the assembly, PML-N is talking about resigning from the assembly. Therefore, both seem to be on the same page,” said Bilawal.

Reforms and role of establishment in elections

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that his party has always been an advocate of electoral reforms, adding that the PPP is ready for all such reforms.

Bilawal said that the most important and fundamental aspect for stopping electoral rigging was to stamp out the role of the establishment in elections, adding that elections would continue to be controversial no matter how much legislation was done if the establishment had an active role in the electoral process.

Praising his party, he said that in every other by-polls, the vote bank of the PPP continues to increase.

The Benazir Mazdoor card was launched on Saturday, May 1, to mark International Labour Day.

During the conference, Bilawal said that the Mazdoor Card would allow labourers to avail all the necessary benefits and facilities, such as education, health, marriage grants, financial assistance, scholarships, as well as social insurance under the government’s Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI).

Bilawal was questioned again about complaints of evictions by Bahria Town authorities in Karachi, he responded that all activities had been halted and he still awaited a report on the matter.