Bilawal claims, ‘Govt. not serious in bringing about electoral reforms’

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was even ready to face the government for an open Senate vote, said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto here on Monday.

“The government wants to make the Senate elections controversial like the general elections were made controversial,” said Bilawal, adding that the federal government was attempting to do so through ordinances and references.

He said that the “right to secret ballot” was available for every citizen of Pakistan so that no one could impede their right to elect their representative without fear of any reprisal or revenge of any sort.

"اگر حکومت سینیٹ الیکشن میں دھاندلی کی سازش میں کامیاب ہوجاتی ہے تو ہمارا بیانیہ اور مضبوط ہوگا کیونکہ پاکستان کی عوام کو یہ واضح ہو جائے گا کہ عمران خان کی حکومت کو بچانے کیلئے ہر ادارہ کوشاں ہے اور عوام کی پرواہ کسی کو نہیں۔"@BBhuttoZardari
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— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) February 8, 2021

“My right to secret ballot is being attacked, my MPAs’ right to secret ballot is being attacked,” he said. “We are supportive of electoral reforms but this government does not want it,” added the PPP leader.

Bilawal said that if the government wanted to bring about electoral reforms, it could have done so easily over the past three years it was in power.

“When they got to know the Pakistan Democratic Movement was contesting Senate elections and they knew their MPAs and MNAs were not happy [with the government] they showed a lack of confidence in their own parliamentarians,” he added.

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“ہم اس آرڈیننس کو چیلنج کریں گے اور انشاﷲ آئین و قانون کے تحت الیکشن ہونگے۔
اگر حکومتی سازش کامیاب ہوگئی تو یہ جمہوریت، پارلیمان اور انتخابات پر ایک بڑا حملہ ہوگا۔”
چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری @BBhuttoZardari
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— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) February 8, 2021

Moreover, when asked about his recent meeting with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl, Bilawal said that he and the PDM chief spoke about the ordinance and the anti-government protest movement.

The PPP chairperson said that Fazl had not given any “final location” for the long march, adding that discussions were held on whether the Opposition parties wanted to congregate at Rawalpindi or Islamabad.

“These are decisions which will be taken by the PDM. Maulana sahab has not given a final location,” he said.

“When our long march begins, our strength will be visible to everyone before we even reach Rawalpindi,” Bilawal added.

Bilawal demanded that the establishment should not play any role in politics. He said that if it becomes obvious after elections that the PTI participated in the elections as a party and did not receive any support, then it would be beneficial for Pakistan.

Earlier in a day, PDM Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman held meeting with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto.

During the meeting at Bilawal House today, the leaders discussed matters related to long march and upcoming senate elections.

According to sources, Sindh minister for information Nasir Hussain Shah and Sindh Educational Minister Saeed Ghani were also present during the meeting.

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