Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday called for greater political unity, inviting leaders and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to work with his party in pursuing electoral reforms and ensuring free and fair elections.
Addressing an election rally in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal criticised the PTI’s strategy of boycotting elections, arguing that political parties should contest polls rather than stay away from the electoral process.
“If you want to boycott, then stay at home,” he said, urging PTI to fight for its political rights through participation in elections.
In a rare conciliatory gesture, the PPP chairman extended what he described as an open invitation to PTI workers and leaders.
“Today, I extend my hand to PTI workers. Today, I extend my hand to the sincere politicians of PTI. Every political party that is tired of rigging, every political worker who wants to make their own decision — come, take my hand,” Bilawal said, adding that political forces could work together in Parliament to introduce electoral reforms.
He said both Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) deserved transparent and credible elections, stressing that he was prepared to cooperate with all political parties if the common objective was to strengthen the electoral process.
Bilawal also criticised the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), alleging that it feared another electoral setback in AJK after losing Gilgit-Baltistan, which he claimed could weaken its position at the federal level.
Accusing the PML-N of attempting to deprive the PPP of its electoral mandate, Bilawal warned that any alleged manipulation of election results would carry political consequences.