Pakistan’s Election 2024: Asif Ali Zardari, likely to be the next candidate

According to Dawn, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, has confirmed that his father, Asif Ali Zardari, will stand as the party’s candidate in the upcoming presidential elections. He has rejected the proposal of sharing power between two parties i.e. sharing the Prime Minister’s office proposed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Power-Sharing Proposal of PML

The Pakistan Muslim’s League suggested that they will head the government for three years and the Pakistan People’s Party will be in charge of the office for the remaining two years. The PPP assured PML-N of its support in the government formation and election of the next prime minister provided that it gets the position of the key constitutional offices, including that of the president.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s Response

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari declined the proposition to share the position of the prime minister with Nawaz Sharif’s party, emphasising his preference for not assuming the role without popular support. He wishes to become the Prime Minister of the country through proper elections conducted and on the basis of the popular majority.

Addressing a Yaum-i-Tashakur rally in Thatta, he asserted, “If I become the prime minister, it would be after the people of Pakistan elect me.” In his speech, Bilawal emphasized that after the outcomes of the February 8 elections, he acknowledged the fact that he lacked responsibility for the position of Prime Minister.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized that Asif Ali Bhutto’s presidency is essential for restoring stability amidst this political turmoil. In order to put out the fire in the country, Asif Ali Zardari’s candidacy is necessary and once he comes to power, he will save the country.

The PPP leader voiced criticism against the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), comprising Nawaz Sharif, who served as prime minister three times, and his sibling Shehbaz Sharif. He pointed out that the economic policies pursued by the PMLN had destroyed the nation’s economy.

Ishaq Dar in counter-response to Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

PML-N leader Ishaq Dar, advocating carefulness said that discussions are still going on how to form the government and that such things should not be disclosed. Dar also commented that sharing the power was just one of the options and there can be alternative suggestive methods.

Following the meeting, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz released a statement indicating ‘significant progress’ in discussions with all parties involved. Emphasis was placed on fostering a strong democratic governance structure.

How will the new Government form?

To establish a government in the 266-member National Assembly of Pakistan, a party needs to secure a minimum of 133 seats out of the 265 seats up for contention. Last week’s elections resulted in a hung parliament, with no single party securing enough number of seats in order to form an independent government. This led to series of talks for a coalition Government involving the PML-N, led by Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif which has 75 seats and Bilawal Bhutto’s Zardari’s Party which holds 54 seats along with several other small parties.

The Pakistan’s People’s Party led by former Foreign Prime Minister, has declared its full support for the PML-N saying that it will vote in favour of Sharif but strictly clarified that it would abstain from taking up any cabinet positions.

Asif Ali Zardari

Asif Ali Zardari is an influential and a well-known politician in Pakistan who currently holds the position of the President of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians and previously served as the co-chairperson of PPP. He became the first president to be born after the nation’s independence serving as the 11^th president of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013. He is infamous as his administration is known to be corrupt. He was criticized for failing to handle the country and its public and hence received low ratings as the President.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is a Pakistani politician and son of former President Asif Ali Zardari. He was elected the Chairman of PPP in 2007.