PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari demanded the “city and date” from PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday after the latter responded to a challenge from the former to hold a public debate by saying it would be better to compare Sindh’s state instead.

Bilawal has criticised the PML-N on the regular during his election trail as the competition heats up with less than two weeks to go to the February 8 general elections. The PPP scion’s digs have prompted responses from the PML-N’s top echelon in return.

A day ago, Bilawal proposed a debate between him and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif anytime before the election date.

“Globally, presidential and prime ministerial candidates participate in televised debates, providing voters with crucial insights into their plans. This transparency is vital for an informed electorate ahead of the voting process,” he had explained.

In an apparent response to the challenge, Shehbaz posted on social media platform X today that it would’ve been better if the “gentlemen” had invited Nawaz to an inspection of Sindh than a debate, adding that it would have solved the matter of both a comparison and a debate.

He echoed the same during an election rally in Rawalpindi.

Responding to his former ally in the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government, Bilawal demanded the “city and on which date your brother wants to debate”.

The former foreign minister said he was up for both a debate and comparison between the state of development and infrastructure in Sindh and Punjab.


To find your constituency and location of your polling booth, SMS your NIC number (no spaces) to 8300. Once you know your constituency, visit the ECP website here for candidates.

Opinion

Editorial

Parliament’s place
Updated 11 Oct, 2026

Parliament’s place

In 2015, the parliament had decided to “maintain neutrality in the Yemen conflict so as to be able to play a proactive diplomatic role to end the crisis”.
Disturbing the peace
11 Oct, 2026

Disturbing the peace

THIS year’s Nobel Peace Prize is well-earned. The winner, South African jurist Dr Navi Pillay, has had an...
A voice in care
10 Oct, 2026

A voice in care

WORLD Mental Health Day this year carries a compelling message. The theme, ‘Lived experiences heard: real voices,...
Midterm break
Updated 10 Oct, 2026

Midterm break

Both the US and Israel need to halt their destructive misadventures in the Middle East.
American barbarism
Updated 10 Oct, 2026

American barbarism

WITH the spectre of defeat in the upcoming midterm elections looming large over the Trump administration, the...