Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Sunday that no one was against fresh elections, “which was the ultimate goal of the no-trust motion filed by the joint opposition against Prime Minister Imran Khan”.
In an interview to Al Jazeera, he said the no-confidence motion was filed because the last general elections were heavily “rigged”.
“The removal of Imran Khan and electoral reforms were vital to ensure free and fair elections. What Khan has done today is not only unconstitutional, but also a coup attempt. The constitution of Pakistan does have one legitimate mean to remove the prime minister of Pakistan and that is the no-confidence motion. Our constitution does not allow for them to block voting on the no-confidence motion. Our constitution does not allow the speaker to prorogue the session. It does not allow the president of Pakistan to try and dissolve the assembly while the no-confidence motion is pending. So, all he (PM) has done today is aimed at creating a constitutional crisis and that is why I say that it is an attempted coup.”
He added that the decision has been challenged in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
“According to the rules of the National Assembly, there is a panel of chairman after the speaker and the deputy Speaker. On the panel of speaker there was a former speaker – Ayaz Sadiq – who once the deputy speaker left, took over the chair and allowed voting on the no-confidence motion. So, the united opposition showed the people of Pakistan and the rest of the world that 195 people voted in the favour of our motion and against Imran Khan,” he said.
He alleged that in order to save himself from defeat and embarrassment, Imran Khan ran away from the no-confidence vote. “In doing so, he has abrogated the constitution,” he added. Bilawal said that the people of Pakistan knew facts very well. “They know that a grave injustice was committed with the people of Pakistan in 2018 when the elections were rigged. No party enjoyed an equal playing field,” he added.
He went on to say that the people of Pakistan believed in democracy. “The people want to get rid of this crisis. The united opposition will work together and will not allow Imran Khan to be successful,” Bilawal stated. The PPP chairman added that the establishment and all institutions of Pakistan made the decision to remain apolitical after the no-confidence motion came forth.
“Our constitution and our law demand that institutions remain apolitical. This is a welcome decision. I will condemn anyone violating the constitution. I will support and welcome those who support and work within the constitutional limit and legal framework,” he said.
He alleged that Imran Khan did not want free and fair elections, and said, “Khan does not want democracy in Pakistan but the people of Pakistan will not allow him to do so.”
