People’s Party was obliterated from Punjab in 1985, not in 2013: Senator Irfan Siddiqui

ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (SABAH): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui has said that Asif Ali Zardari was a powerful president at the time of 2013 elections. The caretaker prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, along with caretaker chief ministers of all the four provinces were proposed and recommended by PPP. General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the Chief of Army Staff, had previously worked with both Ms. Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari for years and was rewarded a three-year extension by President Zardari.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had absolutely no support from any corner during 2013 elections. “I do not understand how Bilawal Bhutto can claim of a plan to oust the People’s Party from Punjab in 2013.” said Senator Irfan Siddiqui.

He added that he respects Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as a young politician, but believes he may not be aware of the facts. In our entire history, only the 2013 elections were declared by the Supreme Court as free and fair. Senator Irfan Siddiqui clarified that the People’s Party lost from Punjab not just in 2013, but also in all previous elections in 2008, 1997, 1993, 1990, and 1988.

When asked about criticism on the current caretaker government, Senator Irfan Siddiqui suggested that it might be part of the People’s Party’s strategy, possibly preempting a potential defeat. He noted that during elections, political tensions run high and should be taken as a routine matter. He also stated that despite the court’s decision to cancel the NAB amendments, it won’t impact former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s planned return to Pakistan on October 21.
In response to another question, Senator Siddiqui said that in the upcoming elections, Pakistan Muslim League-(Nawaz’s key narrative will be its Performance.