Former CM's statement on 'Bilawal joining PML' perturbs Sharjeel Memon

Published January 22, 2015
PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. — AFP/File
PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. — AFP/File

KARACHI: Former chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim created a stir on Thursday when he said that patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will soon join the Pakistan Muslim League.

Speaking to media representatives outside the Sindh Assembly, the former CM said Pir Pagara’s prediction regarding Bilawal leaving his dynastic party for PML was soon going to come true.

Rahim's statement comes as speculation is rife of differences between Bilawal and his father — former president Asif Ali Zardari.

Last year, Bilawal's absence from the PPP’s foundation day function at the Bilawal House in Lahore on Nov 30 had led to widespread speculation about his differences with his father.

Zardari had told a group of PPP leaders during his stay in Lahore that the party’s relations with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement soured because of Bilawal’s “indiscreet statements” and that he had advised his son to temporarily keep himself away from politics.

Read more: MQM takes notice of Bilawal's 'namaloom afraad' speech

A senior PPP leader had earlier told Dawn that differences between the father and the son had cropped up over the party affairs. “Mr Bilawal appointed Jehangir Badr and Bashir Riaz his political adviser and press secretary, respectively, without consulting Mr Zardari,” he said, adding that although Mr Zardari did not mind the choice, he told Mr Bilawal that he would be given a freehand to run the party affairs once he was fully groomed.

Take a look: Bilawal unlikely to attend Benazir’s death anniversary

Bilawal had also expressed unhappiness over his party’s support to the 21st Amendment which gave constitutional cover to the establishment of military courts in the country.

“The parliament cuts its nose to spite its face,” Bilawal had tweeted.

The tweet had come in sharp contrast to the stance of his party and Zardari on the amendment in the Constitution for the setting up of military courts.

Examine: PPP’s support for military courts angers Bilawal

Perturbed Memon shrugs off Rahim's statement


Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon, despite being perturbed by Rahim's statement, shrugged it off saying that the former CM was not such a great prophesier as to be able to make such predictions.

Memon said Rahim should stick to making political statements only.

— An earlier version of the article incorrectly stated that 'Bilawal will soon join PML-N'. The error is regretted.

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