Referring to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticized the opposition for its agitational politics, stressing the need to ensure stability of the country either through “dialogue or with the stick”.
Addressing party activists and supporters via video link to mark the 57th founding day of the PPP, Bilawal urged the “apolitical opposition” to adopt democratic norms to ensure economic stability.
Bilawal said the country’s main opposition parties were neither political nor democratic.
“As politicians, we must enter the field of politics,” he said, adding that the opposition and the government were equally responsible for ensuring the stability of the country.
He also urged the apolitical opposition to adopt democratic norms, warning that if they persisted in the same attitude, they and the country would suffer.
The statement comes after the PTI marched on Islamabad earlier this week following party founder Imran Khan’s “last call”, and during the three days of protests, violent clashes broke out between security forces and demonstrators.
At least five members of the security forces, including three Rangers and two police officers, were killed during the protests. On the other hand, the former ruling party claimed that at least 12 of its workers and supporters were killed in the clashes. The party further said that dozens of its supporters were still missing.
The protest was organized against the “illegal” incarceration of PTI founder Imran Khan, other party leaders and workers, the “stolen mandate” in the February 8 general elections and the 26th constitutional amendment.
He also addressed reports that the Center was planning to impose the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
“The matter is presented to us, we will try to make a decision in mutual consultation.”
Speculations began circulating on social and local media after the federal cabinet, according to Prime Minister’s aide Rana Sanaullah, discussed the possibility of imposing the governor’s rule in KP following the party’s protests in the federal capital.
However, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif dispelled speculation, saying the Center was not considering imposing governor’s rule in KP.
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.