Bilawal says Centre was ready to impose emergency in KP but PPP sought 'political solution'

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday said the federal government had made up its mind to impose emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; however, his party suggested finding a political solution to fight terrorism in a “better way”.

Addressing an event in Karachi, Bilawal said that the federal government had been in contact with President Asif Ali Zardari and the PPP regarding the recent security situation, particularly in KP.

Noting the terrorist attacks emanating from Afghanistan, Bilawal said, “In my opinion, the federal government had made up its mind and was 100 per cent ready; they wanted to immediately impose emergency or governor’s rule in KP.”

He noted that although imposing governor’s rule or emergency in any province was a Constitutional tool, the PPP “was of the view that before dropping this constitutional atomic bomb, political parties should absolutely find a political solution to fight terrorism in a better way”.

Sharing his party’s view, Bilawal said the PPP wanted to hold talks with the protesting party — the PTI — regarding its planned Oct 4 long march to Islamabad before making any decision.

While calling on all parties to engage in dialogue with PTI before imposing emergency, he also urged the latter to abandon its long march to Islamabad and acknowledge the success of their protest.

Bilawal said the PTI protest had been somewhat successful as the capital “has been shut for 10 days”, even if the party had not marched towards it. “A political party or worker should see that you have achieved success on the political stage.”

However, he pointed out: “But it is also correct that while you are focusing on your own politics, there is terrorist activity in KP every other day.

“If the provincial government does not consider this issue of terrorism and law and order important, and there are allegations that they are not standing with the federation, then we may be forced to declare an emergency or governor’s rule.”

The PPP chief noted that the terrorist threat from Afghanistan and India’s “hideous role” in supporting it was apparent. “Do not see terrorism through a political lens.”

“We want to come together to fight terrorism and not view it as a political issue, but a national one,” Bilawal emphasised, recalling a recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Zardari.

The Bhutto scion called for a written agreement between the KP and federal governments which would outline “how they will combat terrorism together”.

“If there is any political deadlock, it needs to be kept separate from issues like terrorism or national interests.”

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