PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday claimed that the impression that Prime Minister Imran Khan had “taken a stand” against the United States by refusing to allow it to set up military bases in Pakistan was false because, in fact, no one had made a request for the bases to the government.
Addressing a public gathering in Haveli during his campaign for the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, Bilawal claimed that it was only the PPP that had taken a stance against Washington and closed bases during its tenure.
“You must have been hearing that the US will not be given bases and the prime minister has taken a stand.
“To tell you the truth, no one has even asked him, no one has made him a phone call, no one has asked him for a base, he is just saying it on his own,” the PPP leader alleged.
Last month, Prime Minister Imran had categorically said that Pakistan would “absolutely not” allow any bases and use of its territory to the US for any sort of action inside Afghanistan.
“Absolutely not. There is no way we are going to allow any bases, any sort of action from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan. Absolutely not,” the prime minister told Axios on HBO in an interview. The video clip of this statement by the premier went viral on social media and was widely shared by government accounts.
Bilawal in his speech said former military dictator retired Gen Pervez Musharraf had provided bases to the US and it was the PPP that closed them. “If today they’re still closed then because of whom? Because of the PPP,” he added.
He recalled that after the Salala incident of 2011, the parliament at the time took a stand about closing US bases and shutting Nato supply lines until the US apologised for martyring Pakistani troops.
“And this strength is only in a national and democratic parliament, this puppet govt does not have that strength to do such big things,” he said, referring to the PTI government.
Bilawal claimed that PPP was the only political party that could stare both India and the US in the eye and respond to them while continuing to work with China without compromising on the people’s rights or bending before anyone. “If you support us then no world power can block your path,” he told the rally audience.
Lashing out at the government in the Centre, he said it was “snatching roti, kapra aur makaan (bread, clothing and house)” from the people who were now looking towards the PPP to come into power by becoming the people’s voice.
The PPP leader also criticised Prime Minister Imran for his approach on the Kashmir issue and said he had failed to live up to the hopes of its people.
“We don’t want a prime minister who prays for [Indian PM Narendra] Modi’s electoral success while sitting in Islamabad and says ‘God willing Modi wins the election so the Kashmir issue can be resolved,'” he said, in a taunt at Imran.
In an apparent reference to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal said: “We also don’t want a prime minister who invites Modi to his weddings. We are from among you and you are from us. If someone is your opponent and enemy then they are our opponent and enemy. How can it be that you celebrate happiness with them and share grief with you (people of AJK)?”
He said the PPP was the only party that could never do a “deal” on Kashmir, because its origins lay in the Kashmir issue and its leaders had never “met or shaken hands with Modi”.
“If there is one party that can respond while looking eye-to-eye with Modi then it is neither PML-N nor PTI but only the PPP.”
Again apparently referring to the PML-N, Bilawal said “we respect them a lot and want them to do opposition” so the incumbent government could be driven out, but “we want them to be a party of sher (lion), not a cat.”
“The cat runs away but the lions remains among its people and confronts challenges. We want that whoever is your representative remains among you and doesn’t run away.”
Claiming to have witnessed all political parties and their candidates, he said only the PPP candidate could truly represent the people of Haveli.
Bilawal said if the PPP got a majority government in the upcoming polls then its first task on the first day would be to increase salaries, pensions and livelihood for the youth. “We think when we support people and get money in your hands and pockets then the whole economy can rise this way,” he added.
Maryam warns against attempts to ‘steal’ election
Separately, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also addressed a gathering in Chattar Klass to kick off her party’s election campaign for the AJK elections.
Maryam said she had been repeatedly receiving messages from AJK cities inquiring about her arrival in the region. “I also know that Kashmiris are strongly missing Nawaz Sharif,” she told the rally.
“For perhaps the first time in history, the PML-N is standing like a cliff despite pressure and attempts to steal the Kashmiri election,” she added.
“The people who are eyeing Kashmiri votes to steal the election, listen closely with ears wide open, PML-N is not the same PML-N as before. It has learned the skill to retrieve stolen seats from your throat,” Maryam said, warning that the party would follow any such elements to the end if they tried to “steal” the election.