Pakistan: Bilawal cautions Shehbaz govt against political victimisation, points to Imran Khan's case

The chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, on Wednesday, warned Shehbaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) about the consequences of targeting political rivals and criticized the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members during their recent rally, reports news agency ANI citing Geo News.
"If the government's only job is to decide, who should we put behind bars today [because] Khan did this to use and spoil the [political] climate? If we repay in the same coin, then you may be happy for one day, but tomorrow you and I will be in the same jail," said Zardari on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Interestingly, PPP and PML-N have formed the government in Pakistan but PPP is not a part of the administration.
Additionally, the PPP chief also criticized the former ruling party's lawmakers for their disrespectful behavior during parliamentary sessions, which mirrored their conduct at public gatherings.
"We decide whatever politics we want to do outside the house. However, we have [to play] a responsible role here," said Zardari.
The PPP leader stressed the significance of upholding the sanctity of the parliament and urged lawmakers to maintain professional relationships with their constituents, irrespective of their statements at public rallies, according to Geo News.
Despite being an ally of the PML-N in the coalition government, Bilawal said that his party holds different views from the ruling party. He mentioned that he has been critical of the government's economic policies while still participating in various meetings with them.
Meanwhile, Zardari also slammed former Prime Minister Imran Khan for damaging the country's political landscape during his tenure from 2018 to 2022. However, he said that he does not hold any personal grudges against the PTI founder.
"If your leader [Imran Khan] is in jail for a time being, then it does not make any difference. You should fight his legal battle on merit," Bilawal said.
Bilawal also recalled the "Charter of Democracy" agreement between the PML-N and the PPP, suggesting that certain factions consistently oppose political consensus. He claimed that efforts were made to undermine this consensus "via Iftikhar Chaudhry (then chief justice of Pakistan)."