PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday lambasted the PTI for inviting “interference from the same people” that its leaders recently “lectured” on the importance of upholding the Constitution.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Bilawal, amid jeers from PTI lawmakers, questioned why their party’s leadership sought dialogue with the military establishment but not with political parties.
“While upholding the Constitution, they do not talk with politicians,” he said. “To uphold the Constitution, they are making the same people — who the opposition leader (Omar Ayub) was lecturing […] that do not interfere in politics — interfere by forcefully grabbing their feet.”
Bilawal continued, “They talk one thing, but their politics is different. According to them, they are fighting for the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, and haqeeqi azadi, [but] they only want to talk with our army.”
At the outset of his speech, Bilawal said, “Though the opposition might have forgotten its responsibility, it is our (government’s) duty to remind them that if they are members of this House and are receiving salaries, those would be Halal if they fulfill their responsibility.”
Bilawal warned the PTI of the consequences if the “non-serious party” refused to apologize for the May 9 riots. “No one should be permitted to commit terrorism,” Bilawal said. “The opposition leadership committed terrorism on May 9 by disrespecting the monuments of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country.”
He called for the PTI to fulfill its role in KP, where it is in power, instead of “crying only about their matters,” causing uproar from the opposition.
Detailing the PPP’s work, Bilawal said, “The province of Sindh invites the PTI and their government to come and visit our hospitals; we would show them and teach them how free and quality treatment is provided to the poor public. We are ready to work with your government as well so that there should be free and quality treatment in Peshawar, such as the NICVD (National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases).”
At one point during his speech, the PPP chairman expressed his dismay at the opposition’s “non-serious attitude,” which prompted protests from the opposition benches.
