PESHAWAR: Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday condemned the growing acts of terrorism in the country and blamed them on the non-implementation of the National Action Plan in letter and spirit.

Addressing a news conference at the residence of former PPP provincial president Syed Zahir Ali Shah here, the PPP chief said if his party came to power, it would unite all stakeholders through parliament to strengthen state institutions and formulate and enforce a national action plan to eliminate terrorism once and for all.

He denounced violence in election rallies of Peshawar, Mastung and Bannu and said unfortunately, the political parties were not only mourning the deaths of their activists but they were also canceling public meetings and campaigns for security reasons.

“The politicians will now run election campaigns via media conferences as they cannot endanger the lives of workers by holding election rallies,” he said.

Says PPP won’t boycott polls despite having rigging evidence

Mr Bilawal said his party had tangible evidence of pre-poll rigging as candidates were forced to change loyalties but even then, it won’t boycott elections.

He said the Awami National Party, Balochistan Awami Party and PPP were forced to halt election campaigns and that ‘such tactics’ would cast doubts about the impartiality of elections.

The PPP chief said his party had cancelled a public meeting in his constituency, NA-8, Malakand, to express solidarity with the families of the people, who were killed and injured in Mastung suicide bombing, but he would visit the area to meet supporters.

He called for the formulation of new National Action Plan and its effective implementation to eliminate terrorism.

Mr Bilawal said the strengthening of institutions would help resolve problems.

He wondered how political parties could continue with election campaigns when their workers were killed in rallies.

The PPP chief alleged pre-poll rigging in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but said the party won’t boycott elections and would face opponents bravely.

“Our candidates are being forced to change loyalties. Attempts are under way to form Islami Jamhoori Ittehad-like alliance to have own government in place,” he said without elaborating on it.

He said the PPP’s election campaign was hampered and even stopped in several parts of the country.

“The non-provision of a level playing field to parties and candidates will render election results controversial,” he said.

Mr Bilawal said the party’s office-bearers not delivering the goods would face strict action.

He said all provinces had reshuffled bureaucracy but Khyber Pakhtunkhwa didn’t do so and therefore, the Election Commission of Pakistan should take note of it besides pre-poll rigging by the caretaker government in the province.

The PPP chairman said political parties were being targeted by terrorists.

“The PPP has always faced and fought such unfavourable circumstances and will continue doing so,” he said.

Mr Bilawal announced that he would soon visit Mastung to express solidarity with the families of the bombing victims.

He said he was hopeful that his party would sweep the next election to form the next governments as the voters’ response to his countrywide campaign was very encouraging.

Earlier, the PPP chief addressed the workers’ convention at the residence of former federal minister Arbab Alamgir. He was accompanied by senior party leaders.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2018