Bilawal issues stark warning to PTI over Imran’s future

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has warned that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan could surpass President Asif Ali Zardari’s record for time spent in prison if the party continues what he described as extremist politics.

In a statement, Bilawal criticised PTI’s political approach, saying the party’s conflicts stemmed from its reliance on extremism and boycotts. He urged the opposition party to reconsider its strategy, warning that its current course could prolong Imran Khan’s imprisonment.

Bilawal said Pakistan’s political history showed that leaders who were imprisoned could eventually return to power. However, he argued that PTI would need to abandon what he called extremist politics to improve its political prospects.

He also criticised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, accusing him of pursuing a negative political approach. His remarks came amid growing tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial administration over political differences and the party’s planned protest activities.

Discussing the possibility of emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Bilawal said the federal government had been prepared to impose an emergency in the province a few days earlier. However, he described the imposition of governor’s rule as a last resort.

His comments come amid ongoing political tensions over the PTI’s protest movement, its demands concerning Imran Khan and disagreements between the provincial and federal governments. The possibility of constitutional or administrative measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also become a subject of political debate.

Bilawal also criticised the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) over its demands concerning the creation of a separate province in Sindh. He questioned the party’s political strength, arguing that those unable to win a union council seat should not make claims about provincial-level support.

He challenged MQM-P leaders Mustafa Kamal and Mohsin Naqvi to visit cities across Sindh and ask residents whether they wanted a separate province. His remarks reflected the continuing political disagreement over the issue of provincial division and the representation of different communities in Sindh.

Bilawal’s statement underscores the deepening political divide between the PPP and PTI, as debate continues over Imran Khan’s imprisonment, the PTI’s protest strategy and the future of federal-provincial relations.