As the stage is set for the February 8 general elections, tensions rise between Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPP-P) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), with the former accusing the latter of resorting to illegal means to secure a fourth term in power.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, also the prime ministerial candidate, alleges in a foreign media interview that Nawaz Sharif seeks to pressure the administration to influence election results, accusing him of attempting a backdoor return to power.
Bilawal, who has consistently accused Nawaz of pursuing alternative means to become PM, criticizes the caretaker government and administration for bias towards Nawaz.
Despite their historical alliance in the Charter of Democracy (CoD), Bilawal deems a PPP-PML-N alliance difficult, portraying the current PML-N as straying from its past commitments, questioning their “respect the vote” slogan, and accusing Nawaz of harboring aspirations akin to an “Amirul Momineen.”
While expressing hope that the caretaker government won’t succumb to PML-N’s pressure, Bilawal emphasizes the need for free, fair, and transparent elections, advocating for a level playing field to restore credibility.
With Nawaz’s return from exile to vie for a fourth shot at power, the political landscape brims with tension and skepticism about the upcoming electoral process.
