LAHORE - The PPP’s de facto Chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday announced in a party meeting at Bilawal House that Bilawal Bhutto would not be allowed to take part in active politics for the time being as the political environment was not conducive to politics of aggression.

“Just one speech of his has jolted the political atmosphere. The country cannot afford such type of politics at the moment,” Zardari told a meeting of party’ Punjab executive council while referring to the fiery speech Bilawal had made on October 18 at Karachi. 

He argued that Bilawal was young and aggressive in his utterances, but this was not the right time to do such type of politicking.

“I   can’t allow Bilawal’s aggressive style of politics to spoil the culture of tolerance in politics and the policy of reconciliation for which me and shaheed BB have worked for years. I don’t want the third force to fish in troubled waters. If the political forces clash with each other, the forces now encouraging Imran Niazi would try to take advantage of the situation,” the PPP chief told party men.

He further stated that Bilawal would be empowered to take important decisions at appropriate time; but, for the time being, he cannot be allowed to take part in active politics. “Bilawal would definitely come back and sit among the workers, but he would not be authorized to make important decisions,” he said in categorical terms.

Zardari said this in response to Ashraf Sohna’s speech made on the occasion. “Why have you held back my Bilawal from meeting me and the party workers?  It is great injustice with workers that their leader is not being allowed to interact with them,” Sohna reportedly told Zardari in an emotional tone. He also objected to the politics of reconciliation Zardari was doing at the moment. “This is not PPP’s style of politics,” Sohna roared.

Zardari in his address also made it clear that Benazir Bhutto in her will had nominated him (Zardari) as her political heir and not Bilawal Bhutto. “Now I have nominated him (Bilawal) as my political heir,” he affirmed, adding that if anybody had any doubts about it, he/she could see BB’s will to ascertainment the veracity of what he was saying.

GOVT HAS TWO YEARS LEFT: ZARDARI

Staff Reporter from Gujranwala adds: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said that talks are a must as agitations and sit-ins can not only harm democracy but also the country.

Addressing PPP’s divisional workers convention at Gujranwala on Thursday, Zardari said: “Politics is not a T20 match; rather it is a Test match. Some of our friends are in a hurry to govern the country, but politics demands patience. The PTI chairman should start negotiations because only political leadership can guarantee Pakistan’s safety.”

Asif Ali Zardari said his party is not supporting Nawaz Sharif, but the democratic setup. “We want the incumbent parliament to complete its term. The current government has only two years left with it. Decisions made on roads will harm Pakistan. Imran Niazi should stop talking about shutting down the country and talk about negotiations,” he said.

Zardari said Pakistan was facing a lot of problems and due to shortage of gas and electricity, the economy of the country is suffering badly. He said agreements with China would have better results for the country. “We should work for the entire nation and the country,” he said.
Asif Zardari said the Parliament would have to be strengthened before the next elections. “Youths have been given awareness for the first time,” said Zardari.

Mian Manzoor Wattoo, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Raja Riaz, Ch Siddique, Lala Asad Ullah Papa, Ch Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, Ch Tariq Gujjar and others also addressed the convention.  Earlier, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari was received by the party office bearers as he reached the farmhouse of ticket holder of NA 96, Ch Muhammad Siddique, by a helicopter.