PTI is the only party that attacks every institution of the state: Bilawal

ISLAMABAD, May 15 (SABAH): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday stated that any talks or negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will not take place unless the party tenders an apology for the torching of Jinnah House in Lahore.

Condemning the violent attacks in the National Assembly on Monday, Bilawal Bhutto said the incidents were unprecedented in the history of Pakistan. He said that these incidents will be remembered for a long time to come.

Bilawal called for the institutions to work within their constitutional ambit so that the government could concentrate on resolving the issues of the poor people.

In 1986, he said, over three million people gave a warm welcome to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto despite former president General Ziaul Haq being in power in Islamabad at the time.

“Benazir Bhutto did not use the occasion to incite violence against Ziaul Haq. The PPP has faced various incidents over the years but has refrained to resort to acts of violence,” he added.

The PPP chairman accused Imran Khan of being involved in putting opposition leaders, including PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz and PPP leader Faryal Talpur, behind bars.

“Despite Talpur’s illness, doctors were pressured to hand her over to Imran Khan, who then allegedly changed the hospital’s medical superintendent and put Talpur in jail,” he claimed.

Bilawal went on to say that PPP did not oppose the elections, as they believed that Imran Khan could be challenged through a fair election, and that the ruling coalition would contest and defeat him.

He said that the incumbent coalition government candidates had already defeated PTI chief and its candidates in several by-elections. The coalition was committed to protect the Parliament and Constitution, he concluded.

Bilawal Bhutto said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had the “last chance” to condemn the incidents of vandalism.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman lamented, “This is the first time that a vandalism incident has taken place at the Corps Commander’s house. The building of Radio Pakistan Peshawar has been completely destroyed, and public transport has been set on fire”.

Bilawal Bhutto was of the view that the court should condemn the incidents of terrorism. Criticising Imran Khan, Bilawal said, “It is up to Imran Khan whether he has a political party or a terrorist group.”

Bilawal added that if Imran Khan does not condemn the incidents of vandalism, it will be proved that the PTI was a terrorist organisation that needs to be treated as a terrorist group.

Continuing to berate the PTI, Bilawal alleged, ” The PTI is the only party that attacks every institution of the state.”

Mentioning his party’s “contributions to fight dictators”, Bilawal said, “The way we faced dictators, we will save parliament and also deal with Imran Khan [fitna].” He made it clear that Imran Khan was not the concern of the country, but the economic woes.

Claiming that the political instability in the country was not due to the parliament but because of the “neighbouring institution”, Bilawal Bhutto added that the government was ready to do whatever it could to take the country out of the political crisis.