Will hold protest if govt doesn't form commission to probe 'rigging' by tomorrow, warns Bilawal

E-Paper | April 24, 2026

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday warned that his party will hold protests against the PTI government if it fails to form a commission to investigate the rigging allegations regarding the July 25 general elections.

Talking to reporters outside the Parliament House, Bilawal said, "If the government failed to form a probe commission by September 18, PPP would prepare a strategy for the protest."

"We will wait until tomorrow," he asserted.

Explore: Here's a list of constituencies where PTI, PML-N, PPP are alleging rigging

He also hinted at consulting the PML-N and other opposition parties in case an investigation commission is not formed by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

The PPP chairman also expressed "disappointment" over President Arif Alvi's address to a joint parliamentary session earlier today.

Moreover, PML-N leader Khawaja Asif also reiterated his party's demand of forming a parliamentary commission to probe rigging allegations regarding the general elections, Geo News reported.

He complained that opposition leaders were silenced during the presidential speech. Asif said that opposition leaders were told that they would be able to present their stance following President Alvi's speech but they were not allowed to speak after the address ended.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Nadir Guramani is a journalist and anchorperson for Dawn News (TV) with 17 years of experience. His reporting covers parliamentary affairs, foreign policy, politics, climate change, and human rights. He can be found on X at @nguramani.

Election rigging 101: How to steal a mandate

Analysis: Perceptions of election rigging

Continue protest against ‘rigging’, Nawaz tells workers from jail

Gaz

Sep 17, 2018 08:47pm

Of course he was disappointed when President spoke against corruption. I wonder why?

Recommend 0

fairplay

Sep 17, 2018 08:57pm

how about a protest to expedite corruption and other cases aganst zardari?!

Recommend 0

Crusoe

Sep 17, 2018 09:08pm

Where do we get these sample and imported leaders from?? If Bhutto’s grandson is supposed to be a lorn-leader then what’s the difference between democracy and dictatorship?

Recommend 0

Mohsin Haq

Sep 17, 2018 09:09pm

It is not PTI job to form commission. You need to go to to the courts to like how Imran Khan did and request that from the ECB. Also wasnt the ECB body formed by PPP and PMLN? Mr Bilawal your party is loosing its grip on Sindh and going down like a rock weather you accept it this election or another 5 years choice is yours. Reality takes time to sink but its been around 10 years now.

Recommend 0

Iqbal A. malik

Sep 17, 2018 09:11pm

Reelection is the best answer. Both of these parties will be wiped out.

Recommend 0

MONIER

Sep 17, 2018 09:31pm

sure sure, lets see

Recommend 0

Asad

Sep 17, 2018 09:35pm

So this is why Bilalwal and Zardari went to Jati Umra not for condolences. :)

Recommend 0

M. Afzal Riaz, MD

Sep 17, 2018 09:36pm

Imran Khan You protested rigging. Why you have not established commission to investigate rigging. Do it. Get it over. Politicians cannot accept defeat. We are TIRED of listening " Rigging ", every election.

Recommend 0

arfan aslam khanq

Sep 17, 2018 09:39pm

So the meeting was not for Kulsoom death,it was to form unity against the government,These thieves met and next thing you hear is asking for protests,these thieves NS and Zadhari are well known cunning and trouble makers.

Recommend 0

AXH

Sep 17, 2018 09:40pm

What have you done for the people of Thar? What have you done to resolve water issue in your province? The answer is nothing. So, pay attention to priority tasks first.

Recommend 0

Nimbus

Sep 17, 2018 09:41pm

You are no position to Warn anybody your Father is a corrupt man is that the reason you have your maiden name Bhutto added which is not a norm in the society of Pakistan,learn first attend the National Assembly regularly instead of warning and trying to create a diversions for your dishonest Father better still get out of the country when you still have s chance and stay away like the sons of Nawaz sharif.

Recommend 0

Ahmed

Sep 17, 2018 09:44pm

Nothing positive to contribute, just want to create confusion and chaos to get back to looting the country.

Recommend 0

Faraz-Canada

Sep 17, 2018 09:45pm

I think all PPP needs to worry about is the report of the medical commission on Mr. Zardari's health. These pressure tactics will yield nothing.

Recommend 0

shak

Sep 17, 2018 09:57pm

he and his dad went to Nawaz Sharif probably another unity is coming

Recommend 0

Falcon1

Sep 17, 2018 10:03pm

Ok, so they are going to haul a few poor villagers to part of the city and pay them to shout some slogans against IK. Foolish. The loosers still cannot accept the fact that they lost or why!?

Recommend 0

Pakistani

Sep 17, 2018 10:03pm

BilaWAL and company are you ashame at all At your demand and timing of it..... While street crime is at its peak in karachi, garbage is sitting all over the city for months and years..broken roads everywhere, country is facing drought and all kind of issue and finally after a very very long time a man is doing right things for country and you and your company wants to start drama so you can hold your chairs for now and in future and forever, shame on you and your party. Just one question, what you your company has done for karachi, sindh or pakistan in present or in the past?

Recommend 0

Haris

Sep 17, 2018 10:04pm

So now drama begins. Let's see if he relly come out of his fortress? This guy should be immediately ignored as PPP has no credibility and conscience in the eyes of masses.

Recommend 0

Nadeem

Sep 17, 2018 10:05pm

Let the FIA probe of fake accounts for money laundering finish, and you and your dad may never see seats of parliament again!

Recommend 0

Jahangir Ahmed

Sep 17, 2018 10:09pm

Show us what you got..

Recommend 0

Fairplay

Sep 17, 2018 10:10pm

More importantly we should convict Zardari immediately for the billions he has looted so we can build dams, schools and hospitals.

Recommend 0

Shah

Sep 17, 2018 10:10pm

Bilawal and PPP should use their time saving children from dieing in Thar and not misuse time of their voters.

Recommend 0

Sep 17, 2018 10:11pm

I think he should definitely organise a protest.... see how many people turn up. Good luck..... parasites!

Recommend 0

Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Sep 17, 2018 10:16pm

Here we go again, treaths, treaths and more threads, in this time, PPP decided to join old allies, PMLN and their close associates. Simply, lossers are getting together to gain publicity and cause trouble for PTI government.

Recommend 0

Imad

Sep 17, 2018 10:23pm

'Barter' is what being asked for.

Recommend 0

Khan Pakistani

Sep 17, 2018 10:27pm

You guys will be history soon InshaAllah

Recommend 0

Youshay

Sep 17, 2018 10:31pm

Is that all he can do, start a protest? Can he do anything progressive for Pakistan? I am tired of all these politicians beating the drum instead of building Pakistan. Improving lives of the people instead of looting the nation. Disgustingly shameful, arrogant and selfish.

Recommend 0

Youshay

Sep 17, 2018 10:32pm

@Gaz disappointed because he don't know what or how.

Recommend 0

SHAHID SATTAR

Sep 17, 2018 10:44pm

For your own safety and security, please hold the protests inside the Bilawal Houses gifted by the worthy Bahria Town owner Chaudhury Riaz to your father. Every one will be safe that way. Incidentally could you postpone the protests till after tenth of Moharram?

Recommend 0

Wahid

Sep 17, 2018 10:44pm

First and foremost let’s eliminate corruption and corrupt practices and then we can think about imaginary issues which are used to divert attention from real issues affecting the masses

Recommend 0

Saracen

Sep 17, 2018 10:50pm

The sore losers club speak, they should maintain low profile, when nation finds out how much they looted and where money is then they will answer to the people for bankrupting an entire country and putting us into the stone age.

Recommend 0

Justice

Sep 17, 2018 10:50pm

Little boy has started to speak up... sorry buddy once Imran Khan will start bringing economic growth and justice to Sindh, PPP will no longer have any power left.

Recommend 0

Ahsan Gul

Sep 17, 2018 10:56pm

A son and self made PPP leader of an ex corrupt PM zardari is conscious about rigging. Just by uttering few English words in British accents are not going to make you a leader. People of Pakistan are not that simple anymore to follow or believe in you guys.

Recommend 0

Spellbinder

Sep 17, 2018 11:03pm

I don't blame them [PPP] as ECP has been dragging their feet over recount on constituencies where the vote difference is less than 5% and discarded votes more than the differences between winning candidate and losing candidate. In this fight MQM will support PPP.

Recommend 0

M S Alvi

Sep 17, 2018 11:04pm

There was no rigging in the last elections. Why all these people are crying wolf? My advice: give up this false propaganda and start doing some positive work for Pakistan.

Recommend 0

AAM

Sep 17, 2018 11:04pm

He is so funny, his name is also in fake accounts case. See the elections result and then speak

Recommend 0

فکرمند The worried one

Sep 17, 2018 11:05pm

Really. First he should sort out his own corrupt family affairs and let go his inherited wealth - but we all know he wouldn't do that.

Recommend 0

Miko

Sep 17, 2018 11:06pm

Counter pressure so PTI led govt cannot go after the looters. Now they will try to disrupt the govt because it’s going after them.

Recommend 0

M. Saeed

Sep 17, 2018 11:08pm

You are shouting on the dumb shoulder Mr Bilawal.

Recommend 0

Danish

Sep 17, 2018 11:16pm

Mr. B. Zardari you have lost the election better concentrate on your party reforms and find out your weakness in your manifesto and facus for next election..

Recommend 0

syed

Sep 17, 2018 11:17pm

now people get to know what conversation took place between nawaz sharif and zardari

Recommend 0

Truth

Sep 17, 2018 11:17pm

Supreme Court and NAB have played their role to expose Asif Ali Zardari. It is a reason that Bilawal Bhutto threatens the federal government. Asif Zardari wants to play a game with government: do not tighten the noose otherwise I will topple your government.

Recommend 0

Anwar Syed. St.Louis. MO. USA

Sep 17, 2018 11:31pm

Father like son. The only person I respect is dead. She was the only great leader PPP ever have beside Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Recommend 0

Calm down

Sep 17, 2018 11:33pm

Bilawal, do not worry. A commission will be formed to probe corruption and theft by Zardari and the use of Ayyan Alis.

Recommend 0

Arshad patel

Sep 17, 2018 11:43pm

Bilawal: No one is scared of you:)

Recommend 0

Sep 17, 2018 11:47pm

I would like to see bilawal protest for more than 3 days

Recommend 0

Adil306

Sep 17, 2018 11:51pm

Forget about rigging, PPP better prepare for corruption cases. Not all the time honey and olive will save the looters. Bilawal should take care of pathetic conditions of interior Sindh first from healthcare to education system. Wasting time and money on protests will not save the corrupt leaders.

Recommend 0

Imtiaz Ali Khan

Sep 17, 2018 11:56pm

Murtaza Bhutto son is a Bhutto not Zardari's son Bila.

Recommend 0

MONIER

Sep 18, 2018 12:01am

He and his dad just came of a meeting yesterday with the corrupt Nawaz family

Recommend 0

Adnan

Sep 18, 2018 12:01am

Seems like uncle Nawaz gave him some tips in Jati Umra. Unfortunately, Bilawal, you are no Imran Khan, I'd be surprised if people come out for you.

Recommend 0

TARIQ SHEIKH

Sep 18, 2018 12:35am

Why do not try this PPP stalwert under article 6 of the constitution for killing innocent kids in thur due to mismanagement of his party in sindh. Do not forget to put his father on ropes also.

Recommend 0

ABE

Sep 18, 2018 12:37am

You lost the elections and have no chance of ever winning the Premiership. Time to pack up and move back to London. There is nothing you can or will do for the betterment of the country. But are always threatening protests and agitations instead of solving myriads of problems within Sindh or Karachi. Find something more productive and useful to do with your life. Politicis is beyond your capabilities.

Recommend 0

Jameel

Sep 18, 2018 12:56am

Of course BZ should be holding a protest that why him and his family is not yet been charged with looting of PK assets and justice should be done by confiscating all there assets and then sent in for a very long time. At their children remember this for next few generations

Recommend 0

naji

Sep 18, 2018 01:15am

If anyone protest against dam construction, we will also protest against those who protest against dam. Dam is just like our school, college, homes, and our future.

Recommend 0

Sanjrani

Sep 18, 2018 01:19am

Take it easy boy, take it easy. No need to get emotional.

Recommend 0

James

Sep 18, 2018 01:20am

Is Bilawal referring to the rigging of assets declaration by him and his aunt and father. The nation knows the assets he had declared are there because of commissions received.

Recommend 0

Saracen

Sep 18, 2018 01:32am

Careful boy your daddy Mr Zardari could be in Adiala jail soon.

Recommend 0

AZAM AKBAR

Sep 18, 2018 01:35am

@Gaz Mr. Gaz, You have correctly mentioned that Mr. Bilawal Zardari is disappointed. Why not? He is the chairman of most corrupt regional political party PPP.

Recommend 0

Habib Canada

Sep 18, 2018 01:38am

Like father like son !!!!!

Recommend 0

Sep 18, 2018 02:01am

By attending parliament taking an oath you accepted the validity of the elections. Stop your childish behaviour

Recommend 0

Faiz ali

Sep 18, 2018 02:33am

Well done, investigate the rigging in election this is Mr Bilawal political parties our problem is why not commission for corruption bring back RS 35 B corruption, plus fisheries money, plots in Malir ? DHA plots ? commission, commission

Recommend 0

Salman

Sep 18, 2018 02:34am

Stop listening to Zardari, move on coz these demands won’t bring u anything back other than wasting time and money of the people of Pak. If public don’t want it then why persist, as 75% of the people are willing to give time and chance to the new Govt and willing to wait to see the outcome. National agenda should be above the personal gain.

Recommend 0

xpakistani

Sep 18, 2018 03:05am

Bilawal you are a polished gentleman. Please make your your niche in Pakistan's political system instead of relying on your dynasty to help you. The common man in Pakistan is fed up with dynastic and feudal misgovernment. Let Imran set the country in order and new leaders come to the fore. You still have a great chance but change your feudal mindset. If Imran fails in his attempts you in danger of being lynched by the masses such is the horrible situation in Pakistan. Are you not even ashamed of asking these questions? Imran is doing a great job by getting the common man involved in the running of the country.

Recommend 0

Pakistan Zindabad

Sep 18, 2018 03:34am

Taste of IK own medicine, but his supporters may not like it now

Recommend 0

Naeem

Sep 18, 2018 03:48am

Losers will do anything to stop progress

Recommend 0

Patriot

Sep 18, 2018 04:09am

Why this opposition can't leave the Govt to bring the most needed changes the country needs on priority basis. Sometime it feels that Martial Law with serious and honest dictator is better then this so called Democracy.

Recommend 0

Akil Akhtar

Sep 18, 2018 04:29am

Bilawal a foreign educated feudal behaves exactly like the other feudals in teh country and is no different to others is the biggest disappointment....

Recommend 0

Syed Husain

Sep 18, 2018 05:07am

Chairman Bilawal please accept the fact that a majority of Pakistani pople have rejected you and your party. Please go back to UK where you belong!

Recommend 0

Magnanimous approach

Sep 18, 2018 05:17am

The former President Mamnoon Hussain also clearly spoke about corruption.And now President Dr Arif Alvi said same. Bilawal Zardari must wait and see. There are not one, not two, but a number of commissions to be formed, and investigate, not only the so- called election rigging, but corruptions, Money laundering’s, and unexplained assets, living beyond income, all will be investigated, more names on ECL, more cases, more arrests, more extraditions. Don’t you worry Mr Bilawal Zardari, an explicit and exemplary actions for autocorrections are underway. Please wait and have patience.

Recommend 0

Yawar

Sep 18, 2018 06:12am

Strategy for the protest by PPP - he must be joking.

Recommend 0

Zak

Sep 18, 2018 06:15am

You can come with all 5 of your mates and fly in and out after few hours. Btw did anyone ask how you live in Dubai and where you got your wealth from, since you have never worked a day in your life.

Recommend 0

Zak

Sep 18, 2018 06:16am

@Gaz Because Dad dearest has stashed it under pillow.

Recommend 0

Salman

Sep 18, 2018 06:31am

Please leave pakistan now while you still have time. Your dramas will no longer be entertained by the general public.

Recommend 0

PAKMAN

Sep 18, 2018 07:17am

Opposition parties have nothing concrete to offer. What a shame they could achieve so much by playing a positive role.

Recommend 0

Truth is truth:

Sep 18, 2018 07:56am

@Gaz : No, it was promised to opposition that they would be allowed to express their views after President speech. However, PTI did not honour that commitment once president's speech was over.

Recommend 0

Sameer

Sep 18, 2018 09:14am

Last cries before prison time. Good.

Recommend 0

SHAHID SATTAR

Sep 18, 2018 09:15am

Form a commission for 'rigging' elections in the province of Sindh by the party which has been ruling the province for the past ten years first.

Recommend 0

Sep 18, 2018 09:22am

All the corrupt ones will make noise. Zardari family owns palaces in surrey in uk. If thats not ill gotten wealth then what is. Poor people dying hungry in pakistan yet these corrupt running around free. Bring that money back. You dont need to borrow from imf.

Recommend 0

Zaheer

Sep 18, 2018 09:24am

He should ask his father Mr Looter ( zardari) for what he did in post 2013 election..

Recommend 0

Asad

Sep 18, 2018 10:10am

these corrupt vederas should be behind bar

Recommend 0

AZAM AKBAR

Sep 19, 2018 03:06am

@Nadeem Mr. Nadeem, What you have said it becomes reality soon.

Recommend 0

AZAM AKBAR

Sep 19, 2018 03:07am

@Iqbal A. malik Mr iqbal A. Malik, PPP and PML-N will be history.

Recommend 0

AZAM AKBAR

Sep 19, 2018 03:10am

@Asad Mr. Asad, They will come in prison, definitely.

Recommend 0

AZAM AKBAR

Sep 19, 2018 03:13am

@Zak Mr. Zak, Mr. Bilawal Zardari depends on corruption- money.

Recommend 0

AZAM AKBAR

Sep 19, 2018 03:21am

@Saracen Mr. Saracen, And Mr. Bilawal Zardari too. Because he is one of the directors of Zardari- Group.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Indus Cloud signs strategic partnership agreement with PTCL to deliver cloud excellence

The partnership marks a significant step in Indus Cloud’s and PTCL’s joint efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s cloud and data centre infrastructure and expand access to enterprise-grade digital services in the country.