PPP chief urges PTI to quit ‘politics of extremism’
Asks party to resume parliamentary dialogue
Warns confront
KARACHI:
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to abandon its extremist politics and return to parliamentary engagement, warning that imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) would be a “political atomic bomb” with consequences extending beyond the province.
Addressing the inauguration of a 25-acre Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) sports complex in Baldia Town, Bilawal said the PPP had consistently advocated political dialogue instead of extraordinary constitutional measures, which he maintained should be considered only as a last resort.
“Imposing an emergency in K-P is an atomic bomb and will only be considered as the last resort,” he said, adding that an emergency could shrink political space for parties across the country.
The PPP chairman accused the PTI of damaging its own political standing through confrontation with other political parties, the federal government, Parliament, the judiciary and the establishment, while neglecting its responsibilities towards the province and its people.
“The PTI is a party that has public supporters, but it keeps disappointing the people because of its decisions and extremist politics,” Bilawal said, warning that the party risked losing its provincial government if it continued with its present approach.
He urged the PTI to resume parliamentary proceedings, participate in committees and engage with other political forces, saying political positions could be improved through democratic engagement rather than confrontation.
“You will not disappoint the voter in K-P if you amend your politics, return to parliamentary committees and interact with other political parties. Politics is a day-to-day affair, and you can improve your political position,” he said.
The remarks came as the PTI proceeded with its long march demanding the release of its jailed founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, despite warnings from the federal government against gatherings in Islamabad.
Bilawal questioned why K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi appeared unwilling to pursue dialogue, arguing that the provincial leadership was narrowing the space for negotiations and making the possibility of emergency measures increasingly difficult to dismiss.
He said the federal government and the broader political system had been prepared to consider an emergency in the province about a week earlier. Although governor’s rule and an emergency were constitutional and legal options, he stressed that the PPP did not want them exercised.
“We do not want that the last option for the PPP of governor’s rule or emergency should be exercised, but it seems that the K-P CM is leaving no space for political engagement,” he said.
Bilawal also cited the province’s security situation, alleging that the provincial government was not cooperating adequately on counterterrorism. “Given the security situation in K-P and the refusal of the provincial government to cooperate in terrorism, how can I legally say that an emergency should not be imposed in the province?” he asked.
He maintained that abandoning confrontation could help the PTI pursue its political objectives and improve the prospects of its leadership, including Imran Khan, who remains imprisoned. “If the PTI renounces the politics of extremism, then they will save their politics, their government and also, sooner or later, their political leadership,” Bilawal said.
He said that imprisonment did not necessarily determine a politician’s future, citing his father, President Asif Ali Zardari, whom he described as having the record for the longest incarceration. However, he warned that continued confrontation could leave Imran Khan behind bars long enough to surpass that record.
The PPP chairman also called on the PTI to participate in parliamentary efforts to address electoral grievances, pointing out that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had agreed after several months to establish a parliamentary committee on electoral reforms.
“If you do not participate then how will we stop rigging in the future?” he asked, suggesting that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman could play a role in facilitating negotiations.
Bilawal said political stability was necessary to address economic hardship and provide relief to the public, urging political parties to cooperate on fundamental national issues regardless of who held the office of prime minister.
Turning to Karachi’s youth, he said some political forces wanted to push young people towards crime, whereas the PPP wanted them to pursue constructive activities, including sports. He expressed hope that the newly inaugurated complex would provide young people with a lasting facility for healthy recreation.
