The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has criticized the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for altering its stance on elections, as PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, upon his much-anticipated return to the country after four years of exile, refrained from mentioning elections. Faisal Karim Kundi, a PPP leader, pointed out that the PML-N’s narrative has shifted, as they had previously expressed support for general elections ahead of Nawaz Sharif’s homecoming.
Kundi condemned the three-time former prime minister for avoiding any discussion of the upcoming elections, which, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), are scheduled for the end of January 2024. He expressed these views on the Geo News show ‘Naya Pakistan.’
While speaking to reporters at Dubai airport a day earlier, Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N leader, voiced support for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and stated that his party is prepared to accept the ECP’s decision regarding elections.
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Kundi argued that if Nawaz believed the people would support him, he would have mentioned the elections in his speech. Despite discussing various issues facing Pakistan and making promises to address them once in power, Nawaz, 73 years old, did not mention his party’s plans to participate in the upcoming elections, expected to be held in late January of the following year, as per the ECP’s schedule.
Kundi likened Nawaz’s return to Pakistan to a coronation ceremony and criticized the leniency extended to the PML-N leader, who returned without fear of facing court trials for his past convictions. Kundi also questioned the use of trains by the PML-N to publicize Nawaz’s return and expressed concern about potential election rigging leading to anarchy.
He emphasized that the decision on who will lead the country next should be made through public voting and not pre-determined. Kundi stated that the PPP does not advocate excluding any political party from the election process and stressed that they do not call for a ban on the PTI.
