The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) emphasized the need for transparent and free elections, stressing that it is the responsibility of the establishment, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and interim governments to ensure fair electoral processes. PPP Secretary General Syed Nayyer Husain Bukhari issued a statement on Saturday, expressing concerns about the close relationship between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the interim government.
Bukhari raised questions about the affiliations of caretaker federal ministers, Ahad Cheema and Fawad Hasan Fawad, with Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif. He also questioned the governor of Punjab’s connections with the PML-N. Furthermore, Bukhari called into question the role of PML-N leader and Senator Ishaq Dar as leader of the house, highlighting that the Senate leader typically represents the prime minister in the upper house.
In addition, Bukhari stated that negotiations are open to all parties registered with the ECP, but he ruled out dialogues with those perceived as incompetent or threats to the state. He reiterated the PPP’s commitment to reconciliation and alliances with political rivals for the greater good of the constitution and democracy.
Notably, Bukhari’s remarks regarding the party’s alliance strategy with political adversaries followed an invitation from PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to join the Charter of Democracy (CoD). The CoD is an agreement between the two main parties aimed at preventing the use of military assistance to seize power or destabilize a democratically elected government.