Pakistan: ‘Mid-term elections not in national interest’

The Express Tribune

Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani said on Friday mid-term elections would not be in the country’s interest.

Talking to reporters at Multan airport, Gillani said the Pakistan Peoples Party was ready for polls whenever they were held but holding mid-term elections would not serve democratic governance.

He said the PPP was playing the role of responsible opposition to avoid causing harm to the country. Responding to a question about arrest warrants issued against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri, Gillani said the situation could have been contained if both leaders had not been stubborn.

He said arresting the two leaders would make them look like political victims, which, he added, was exactly what they wanted. Commenting on some provocative statements by Sheikh Rashid, Gillani said no one really listened to him.

He said people preaching hate and inciting violence should be ignored. Gillani said PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was leader of the youth, adding that leaders from other political parties were ageing.

He appreciated the development projects announced by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for Multan, adding that he should focus on completing projects started by the PPP government.

He welcomed the announcement that Multan had been declared a big city, saying the move was long due.