LAHORE: A day after the Punjab Assembly adopted a resolution seeking a ban on incarcerated ex-PM Imran Khan and his party for being “anti-state”, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged his party’s coalition partner, the PML-N, to give political space to the opposition PTI.

“It is the responsibility of the government to give space to the opposition in politics, and all political forces must play a serious role for the betterment of the country,” he told reporters on Wednesday after visiting the house of late senior party worker Zubaida Jafri in Baghbanpura. Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Faisal Mir and Nargis Khan were also present.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari also urged the PTI to abandon what he called the politics of extremism. “It is regrettable that some political forces are targeting institutions through social media, and the aim of such behaviour is to weaken institutions, which is harmful to the country.”

Referring to the PTI, he said a political party was attempting to create a rift between the people and the army by acting like a political ‘Dajjal’.

Slams ECP, alleges widespread rigging in D.G. Khan by-poll

“If any political party plays the role of an extremist organisation, questions will arise, and whether I like it or not, PTI’s own behaviour is such that it can be banned, although I do not support banning any political party. Someone should tell these people that politics is not extremism. If any political party supports terrorists, there may be a risk of governor’s rule,” he warned, adding that some parties were targeting institutions through social media to weaken them.

‘Rigging’ in by-poll

The PPP chairman also lashed out at the Election Commission of Pakistan, saying neither coalition partners nor the opposition trusted the ECP.

He said electoral reforms were needed ahead of the next elections so that no chief minister could be accused of being “selected” through Form 47. “Whatever accusations are made against the PPP, I cannot be accused of Form 47,” he clarified.

He alleged massive rigging in a recent by-poll to deprive the PPP of a winning National Assembly seat in Dera Ghazi Khan. “I know our candidate in D.G. Khan won, but he was declared the loser. We will go to every forum.”

Mr Bhutto-Zardari said that he would welcome Maryam Nawaz contesting elections from Sindh or any other Muslim Leaguer doing so.

Praising the armed forces, he said Pakistan had responded befittingly to Indian aggression by shooting down six Indian warplanes and conveyed a clear message to the world that the country would not back down from defending its independence and borders.

“Threats from India are still present, while the threats of terrorism from Afghanistan are a reality. Terrorists come to Pakistan from Afghanistan, carry out operations and flee back, which is a serious security challenge for Pakistan. However, our brave forces are confronting these threats,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2025