Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticized President Arif Alvi for failing to convene the inaugural session of the National Assembly as required by the Constitution, stating that legal action will be taken against him for violating constitutional obligations.
Bilawal’s remarks followed President Alvi’s decision to reject a caretaker government’s proposal to convene the inaugural National Assembly session, prompting Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to schedule the first sitting for February 29.
President Alvi insisted that he would only approve the proposal once the issue of reserved seats for women and minorities was resolved and distributed among parties, in accordance with the law.
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Constitutional experts have asserted that the president is constitutionally obligated to summon the assembly session within 21 days of general elections.
Addressing the media, Bilawal stressed that the delay in summoning the session would not impede the government formation process, as the NA speaker would ensure adherence to constitutional norms.
Bilawal also outlined plans for gubernatorial appointments after his father, Asif Ali Zardari, assumes the presidency, asserting that Zardari would appoint governors for all provinces once elected.
Regarding the political landscape, Bilawal accused the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) of facilitating Shehbaz Sharif’s potential premiership without seeking his vote or attempting to convince him. He attributed Shehbaz Sharif’s candidacy to the SIC’s support.
Responding to queries about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Bilawal criticized the party for its refusal to acknowledge mistakes and lack of faith in the Constitution, democracy, and the existing system. He singled out PTI founder Imran Khan, currently in Adiala Jail, for refusing to admit his mistakes.
Bilawal reiterated his commitment to releasing all political prisoners if elected to power, clarifying that without the mandate, he could only request the new prime minister to take such action.
PPP Information Secretary Shazia Marri clarified that discussions on gubernatorial and Senate chairman appointments are ongoing, with final decisions to be made by Asif Ali Zardari after winning the presidential election. She dismissed circulating names as rumors, emphasizing that decisions were yet to be finalized in consultation with other political parties.
