Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has distanced his party from his father, former president Asif Ali Zardari’s recent statement supporting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in its decision to hold elections after completing the delimitation of constituencies.
Earlier in the day, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari expressed full confidence in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), emphasizing the necessity of fresh delimitation under the 2023 census.
However, this stance contradicts the PPP’s position, which was established during a central executive committee (CEC) meeting on August 25. During this meeting, the party demanded that elections be held within 90 days, as mandated by the Constitution.
In a press conference held in Badin, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was asked to clarify the disparity between his and his father’s positions on the timing of elections. In response, Bilawal suggested that the reporter inquire directly with Asif Ali Zardari regarding the meaning of his statement.
Bilawal reminded the public of the PPP’s CEC meeting, where both opinions on the election timing were discussed. Legal experts within the party emphasized that the Constitution unequivocally stipulates elections must take place within 90 days of the dissolution of assemblies.
Bilawal made it clear that while he is bound to follow his father on family matters, his commitment to political matters, the Constitution, and party policy requires him to adhere to the decisions made by his party’s central executive committee and the Constitution itself.
Asif Ali Zardari came to the defense of the Election Commission of Pakistan, asserting that conducting a fresh delimitation exercise is mandatory following the notification of the new census. The PPP conveyed Zardari’s statement through its social media channels, emphasizing the ECP’s responsibility to conduct elections in accordance with the Constitution.
This development follows calls from various PPP leaders, including party chairman Bilawal, urging the ECP to announce the date for general elections and uphold the constitutional requirement of holding elections within 90 days. The party reiterated these demands during its delegation’s consultative meeting with members of the ECP.