Amidst speculations of a potential rift between Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and his father, Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) unequivocally dismissed any reports suggesting discord within its leadership.
The rumors stemmed from Bilawal’s trip to Dubai, raising questions about dissatisfaction following his father’s recent interview. Asif Ali Zardari had commented on Bilawal’s political acumen, stating that he needed more training, particularly in response to Bilawal’s call for veteran politicians to step aside.
“Politics is my compulsion not a necessity” I disagreed with former President Asif Ali Zardari when he said that his son @BBhuttoZardari still need some more training. Zardari said yes Bilawal is more educated than me but experience is experience. pic.twitter.com/x1HKylAeIZ
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) November 24, 2023
PPP leader Syed Nasir Hussain Shah clarified that differences of opinion within the party were natural but asserted that reports of disagreements between Zardari and Bilawal were unfounded.
Emphasizing Bilawal’s planned return before the party’s foundation day celebration on November 30, Shah warned against spreading false information, underscoring that dissent should not be equated with discord.
Asif Ali Zardari’s recent interview with Hamid Mir shed light on the PPP’s political strategies ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Zardari expressed openness to various options, including forming alliances with parties like the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), emphasizing the need for a unified government. He downplayed the importance of Nawaz Sharif leading the alliance, stating that alternatives within the PPP could also take charge.
Zardari criticized Imran Khan, attributing Pakistan’s isolation to the former prime minister and accusing him of being an “enemy of the economy.” He highlighted the challenges faced during the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government and affirmed his commitment to the 18th Constitutional Amendment, promising to address issues such as missing persons once in power.
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Looking ahead, Asif Ali Zardari outlined a vision for a coalition government, anticipating that no single party would secure a two-thirds majority. He stressed PPP’s openness to alliances and emphasized the importance of moving forward together if a majority couldn’t be achieved by PPP, PML-N, and JUI-F. Zardari endorsed the 18th Constitutional Amendment, vowing opposition to any attempts to repeal it.
Despite acknowledging Bilawal’s talent, education, and communication skills, Zardari underscored the need for experience, signaling a nuanced approach to leadership succession within the PPP. As the political landscape evolves, Zardari’s strategic outlook and the PPP’s commitment to coalition-building present a dynamic scenario leading up to the general elections.