The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) held a Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting in Lahore under the leadership of its Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former President Asif Ali Zardari. The meeting focused on several key issues, including concerns about the inclusion of individuals affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the federal cabinet.
After the meeting, PPP leaders, including Shazia Marri and Faisal Karim Kundi, addressed a press conference and expressed their views on various matters. They raised objections to the alleged influence of PML-N members in the current government, particularly in the federal cabinet.
Shazia Marri stated that the PPP is not being allowed to operate freely, and they feel as though they are being cornered. She clarified that the PPP has no objection to the delimitation of constituencies, but they insist on the timely and fair conduct of elections. Marri accused the government of attempting to create ambiguity around the election issue.
Faisal Karim Kundi also emphasized the importance of free and fair elections and criticized the government for its attempts to influence the electoral process. He pointed out that while the PPP had initially reached an agreement on holding elections in one day, the leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) later backtracked on this commitment.
The PPP leaders demanded that the issue of level-playing field be addressed. They questioned why there were no restrictions on transfers and postings in other provinces while Sindh was subjected to such restrictions. They alleged that the government was displaying bias in several matters.
Regarding the ongoing discussions about the election date, the PPP leaders indicated that they would seek clarification from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on whether the President of Pakistan has the constitutional authority to set the election date. They noted that there is a lack of clarity on this matter, with President Arif Alvi not taking a clear position, and discussions continue in this regard.
Shazia Marri also mentioned that the PPP would meet with the Election Commission to express their reservations and demand the timely conduct of elections. She stated that the party’s stance is not against any particular province but in favor of ensuring that elections are conducted transparently and without interference.
The PPP’s CEC meeting and subsequent press conference reflect the party’s commitment to safeguarding the democratic process in Pakistan. The party has raised concerns about the influence of certain elements in the government and is advocating for a level playing field in the upcoming elections. The evolving political situation in Pakistan remains complex, with opposition parties, including the PPP, actively engaging in discussions and negotiations to address their concerns and protect the integrity of the electoral process.
