Bilawal backs Imran Khan’s right to treatment

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government that his party may stop cooperating with it if its concerns are not addressed.

Speaking to journalists at Parliament House, Bilawal said the PPP had decided that cooperation with the PML-N could not continue under the current circumstances.

He said the government must address the PPP’s reservations. Otherwise, he added, his party would not support the government on routine matters.

Bilawal, however, said the PPP could still cooperate with the government on issues of national importance.

The PPP chairman’s remarks came amid growing differences between the two coalition partners over several political and constitutional issues.

Bilawal also criticised the recent elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that the PPP was defeated through controversial means in several areas.

He said the Kashmir elections were highly sensitive. He noted that the region has strategic importance because of the long-running dispute with India.

Bilawal said it would have been better if the elections had been conducted without controversy.

He claimed that PPP candidates and workers faced serious difficulties during the electoral process. He specifically mentioned Mirpur and Kotli, where he said PPP candidates were defeated.

He said the party had raised concerns about security before the elections. According to Bilawal, an election candidate was attacked in Muzaffarabad.

He also alleged that two PPP workers were killed during the Mirpur phase of the elections.

Bilawal further alleged that the PPP government in Poonch was defeated through rigging. He questioned the decision to divide the Kashmir elections into six phases.

He said the electoral process had still not been completed.

Bilawal expressed frustration that the PML-N had not contacted the PPP or its parliamentary committee to discuss the party’s concerns.

“If the PML-N wanted such a controversial election, then congratulations to them,” he said.

He warned that the PPP would not remain in a position to cooperate with the PML-N if its reservations were ignored.

Bilawal also spoke about the possibility of creating new provinces.

He said the PPP would support the decision of the people regarding new provinces. Where political consensus exists, he said, decisions should be taken through consensus.

Where there is no agreement, he urged political parties to sit together and hold discussions.

He said the PPP was ready to discuss proposals but would not accept anything imposed through force.

Bilawal also clarified the party’s position on constitutional amendments.

He said no specific proposal for another amendment had been presented to the PPP so far. He referred to the 26th Amendment and said he had also mentioned the 27th Amendment.

He said the PPP would consider any proposal if it was formally presented.

The PPP chairman also rejected the impression that his party opposed the creation of new provinces.

He said the PPP’s position on provincial issues had remained clear. He pointed to resolutions passed by the Sindh Assembly and questioned whether the government genuinely believed that the PPP had been facilitating its agenda.

Bilawal also highlighted the PPP’s positions on Gilgit-Baltistan and South Punjab.

He said political parties should respect areas where consensus exists. He added that he could not oppose a proposal simply because it concerned Punjab.

The PPP chairman also expressed concern about the role of Parliament.

He said Parliament faced threats from both outside and within the country. He argued that Parliament was not playing an effective enough role.

He also criticised the functioning of parliamentary committees and said the House needed to play a more constructive role.

Bilawal concluded by expressing concern for the health of PTI founder Imran Khan.

He said he wanted Imran Khan to receive proper medical treatment and recover.