PTI attacked state institutions after Imran's arrest: Bilawal

Karachi: Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the PTI attacked state institutions following the arrest of its leader, adding that if the PPP had taken similar action, the consequences would have been far more severe.

He said that, in his view, “nothing has really happened” to the PTI in comparison.

Speaking at the inauguration of an ICU at the Larkana Children’s Hospital, Bilawal said that both the government and opposition parties must play their role to ensure political stability and the survival of democracy in Pakistan.

He said that if the politics of extremism are pursued, then the resulting strict response should not come as a surprise.

Referring to an English saying, he added that if someone cannot tolerate the heat in the kitchen, they should step out.

He said that if a minor NAB case is registered against a political leader and supporters respond by attacking national institutions, they should not complain later, as action would then be taken according to the law.

Bilawal said he had raised the same point with party workers in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh a day earlier and repeated the question: if the PPP had attacked institutions over the arrest of its leader, what would have happened to the party? He added that the PTI, by comparison, had not faced serious consequences.

The PPP chairman said that based on his party’s experience and history, his advice to the PTI was to abandon extremist politics and return to the democratic political process.

He said this would be better for the party, its leadership, its workers and for the country’s overall political environment.

Responding to another question, Bilawal said reconciliation has always been the PPP’s political philosophy, and that President Asif Ali Zardari has practised it the most.

He added that even in current politics, President Zardari would have to play a key role in promoting reconciliation due to his experience.

He said the country is facing serious challenges, including tensions on the borders with India and Afghanistan and ongoing terrorism.

In such circumstances, he warned, if the PTI acts like an extremist group, the state’s response would be the same.

Bilawal said he was grateful to the prime minister for sending a delegation to the anniversary event, but stressed that no political discussions took place there. He said political parties should find political solutions in the public interest.

He added that elections would be held on time, and if any reforms are needed to ensure transparent polls, political parties should work together.

He said there is still time before the elections and urged all parties, including JUI-F, to focus on electoral reforms and address objections.