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Polls will be held on February 8 as per schedule even if UN, OIC pass resolutions: Bilawal Bhutto

LAHORE, Jan 06 (SABAH): Amid apprehensions of further delay in general elections in the country, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Saturday that the polls will be held on February 8 as per schedule even if “they” get resolutions passed from the United Nations (UN) or the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The remark came during his press conference in Lahore, wherein he was questioned about the approval of a resolution by the Senate to delay the polls. Bilawal Bhutto said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a schedule for the polls on February 8 so the polls will be staged on the same date.

“No matter if [they] get a resolution passed from the Senate, the UN or the OIC, elections will be staged on February 8,” the former foreign minister told reporters.

Bilawal Bhutto recalled Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa’s remark about the election date being ‘set in stone’ which clarified the misconceptions and apprehensions about a delay in elections.

Bilawal expressed confidence that the general elections would be held on time and the Pakistanis would use their franchise right to elect representatives of their choice.

Pointing to PML-N’s deal with the military establishment, Bilawal averred that the PPP would contest the “selection” in this election. He added that his party was a staunch advocate of free and fair elections and level-playing field, unlike others.

Bilawal outlined his party’s manifesto addressing the prevailing issues of inflation and poverty. He averred that solely the PPP was a true representative of all segments of society.

Bilawal said he noticed that the issues of the common people of Lahore were being neglected as political representatives’ attention centered on just the elite segment of society. There was a lot of work needed to be done in Lahore, he added.

In response to a query, Bilawal said he was focusing on PPP’s 10-point agenda instead of non-provision of a level-playing field. “Our 10-point agenda is our manifesto.”