PPP decides to rope in opposition parties to topple PTI govt

Bilawal says ECP report has ‘exposed Imran Khan’s corruption’, accuses prime minister of embezzling crores of rupees

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) has recommended continuing its public movement to topple Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led (PTI) government besides deciding to strongly protest against the rise in inflation.

The PPP CEC met in Lahore under the chair of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The session was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Yousaf Raza Gillani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Maula Bukhsh Chandio, Qaim Ali Shah, Shazia Marri, Nafisa Shah and other central leaders. A white paper on the PTI government’s performance was presented in the PPP CEC and federal council by Shazia Marri.

It elaborated the dismal performance of the PTI government in providing relief to the citizens. The CEC members also held consultations over the minimum wage of a laborer and prices of gas and urea. The opposition party decided to hold strong protests in provincial, national assemblies and Senate. Moreover, it was decided to re-organize PPP in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.

The political party is mulling over the continuation of its anti-government movement by emphasizing the rise in inflation. The CEC will also decide on the next strategy of the anti-government movement and the venues of protest demonstrations. It is expected that PPP CEC will decide on starting contacts with the opposition parties to tighten the noose around the PTI government’s neck besides mulling over bringing a no-confidence motion.

It may be noted here that the alliance of the opposition parties, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had backed the stance of PPP of not tendering resignations from the assemblies. The session’s agenda items also included preparations for the upcoming local government (LG) elections in Punjab and its second phase in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). It is expected that PPP CEC will approve the recommendation to form an alliance or make seat adjustments with Awami National Party (ANP) in KP. The party’s CEC will approve the recommendations after holding consultations in the session.

Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the ECP scrutiny report has “exposed Imran Khan corruption”. In a statement, the PPP chairman stated that Imran Khan had taken oath to tell the truth, but instead, he hid PTI’s bank accounts from the ECP. He alleged that the prime minister who embezzled crores of rupees, ridiculed others for corruption.

PML-N raises ‘mini-budget’ issue with MQM:

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM) convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said on Wednesday his party would raise reservations expressed by the PML-N over the contentious Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Amendment Bill 2021. He said it would convey the PML-N reservations to the government.

In a press conference, PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal criticized the government over the “mini-budget”, which he said would “burden people with additional taxes of Rs350bn”. In this regard, he said, the opposition had decided to communicate to treasury members in National Assembly (NA), including those from the PTI’s allies, that the NA is a sovereign House “and the approval of the IMF package by holding the National Assembly at gunpoint will be a resounding blow to the house’s sovereignty,” he added.