Thatta
\nPPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday said his father Asif Ali Zardari would be the party\u2019s candidate for the presidential election.
\nThe comments come a day after talks between PPP and PML-N to devise a power-sharing formula in the upcoming coalition government remained inconclusive, though both sides claimed \u201csignificant progress\u201d in the discussions. Both parties decided to meet again on Monday (tomorrow) to finalise the power-sharing formula.
\nA brief announcement issued by PML-N after the meeting stated that there had been \u201csignificant progress\u201d in talks with both sides, stressing the need for a \u201cstrong democratic government\u201d.
\nIn the previous meeting on Thursday, representatives of both parties sought more time to assess the proposals discussed in the first meeting.
\nThe PPP has assured PML-N of its support in the government formation and election of the next prime minister on the condition that, in return, it will get key constitutional offices, including that of the president. The PPP has also announced that despite supporting the PML-N at the centre, the party will not take ministries in the federal cabinet.
\nSpeaking at a rally in Thatta, Bilawal \u2014 without taking any names \u2014 said that the party had decided that it would move forward with those who had come to them and asked for their votes.
\n\u201cWe will not take any ministries from them. We will not [seek] our benefit but the people\u2019s benefit [\u2026] we will ensure that democracy is saved.
\n\u201cTo put out the fire spreading in the country, we have decided that Zardari will be our candidate for the presidential election. And when he takes up the post, he will put out this fire, will save the Centre and will take care of the four provinces,\u201d he said.
\nDuring his address, Bilawal said that after the results of the Feb 8 polls, he did not have the right to run for the prime minister\u2019s slot. He went on to say that \u201cPakistan was burning\u201d and the PPP had decided that it would \u201cput out this fire\u201d.
\nHe said that the the PPP did not wish for any federal ministry or the premiership. \u201cWe just want to solve the problems of the people,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cIf we have to give someone our vote for prime minister, then we will ensure that we get the flood affectees in Sindh and Balochistan their due rights,\u201d he said.
\nTalking about a power-sharing formula he was offered, Bilawal said, \u201cI was told that that they take the first two years and then I am prime minister for the remaining three.
\n\u201cI said no this. I do not want to become a prime minister like this. If I become the prime minister, it would be after the people of Pakistan elect me,\u201d he said.
\nHe said that after the government was formed, he would sit in the National Assembly and represent the people.
\nHe said that the time had come to \u201csave the country\u201d. Talking about the 1977 elections, Bilawal said that false allegations of rigging were levelled after Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto won. He noted that an opposition alliance called Nau Sitaray (nine stars) was formed, which ran a campaign that \u201cended the system of democracy\u201d and led to the rule of ex-military dictator Ziaul Haq.
\nBilawal appealed to all political powers and stakeholders to think of the people. \u201cDo not think of yourself. Think of the people of Pakistan. We can improve this democratic system while staying within it. But [\u2026] if such politics of hatred and division keeps spreading in society [\u2026] then it will endanger the federation,\u201d he said.
\nLater, in a post on X Bilawal said, \u201cThank you Pakistan! Our campaign and results have proven, once again, that the Peoples Party is what binds this nation together.\u201d
\n\u201cWe have reservations over these elections, and will be taking them to the appropriate forums, and we believe the way forward is for all political parties to put aside their personal interests for the interests of the people of Pakistan,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cOur history has shown who benefits from chaos and division, and the people of Sindh remember the destruction wrought by those who encouraged and brought about the worst dictatorship our country has ever seen,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cWe must not let such a situation arise again. I appeal to all political parties to think of the people. Put aside your differences.
\nThe challenges we face are too immense, and history will not judge us kindly if we care more for our ambitions than the fates of over 230 million people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Thatta PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday said his father Asif Ali Zardari would be the party\u2019s candidate for the presidential election. The comments come a day after talks between PPP and PML-N to devise a power-sharing formula in the upcoming coalition government remained inconclusive, though both sides claimed \u201csignificant progress\u201d in the discussions. Both […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":387950,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-387930","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n