On Monday, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari rejected the possibility of early elections, saying that it is necessary for the assemblies to complete their term for the survival of democracy.
Talking during an interview, Bilawal said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s demand for early elections is a political agenda. He said the coalition parties were working together to resolve the issues, adding that the previous government passed on the worsening economy to the current government.
The foreign minister said that the failed foreign policy of the previous government has isolated us from the whole world. He added that the current government is looking for solutions to internal problems and consensus at the international level.
He said that to deal with the challenges inherited from the previous government, it is necessary for the entire country to unite as no single political party or individual can deal with the situation alone.
Rejecting allegations of a US conspiracy behind the ouster of Khan’s government, Bilawal said political leaders should speak the truth to their people instead of coming up with such conspiracy theories.
He said that Imran Khan’s accusations against America were for political purposes.
He told the interviewer that this was the first time that a prime minister had been constitutionally removed by a vote of confidence and not by coup or court order.
When asked about early elections, Bilawal said that instead of advancing democracy, early elections will advance Khan’s agenda. He said that it is important for the assemblies to complete their term unless there is an urgent need which does not exist at present.
In response to a question, the Foreign Minister said that India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIJOK) is an incomplete agenda. “Since the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the space for Muslims in India as well as Kashmir is shrinking,” he added.
He said that the people of Pakistan and India want to live in peace. To achieve this, it was necessary to respect international laws and conventions to deal with the problem of terrorism and extremism.
Talking about Afghanistan, the foreign minister said that Pakistan is negotiating with the war-torn country in the interest of itself and its neighbour.
However, he said that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been involved in terrorist attacks in the past which are still ongoing.
He said that Pakistan will work together with the Afghan government to deal with the challenge faced by terrorist organizations.
