No govt can be formed without PPP: Yousuf Raza Gilani

Liaquat Ali

Islamabad: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani this week said that no government can be formed without the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and called it the only “ideological party” in Pakistan.

While addressing a press conference in Multan, Gilani said, “Let me tell you one thing: no government can be formed without the PPP.”

He said, “The PPP is the only ideological party in Pakistan. Its sacrifices for human rights, the upholding of the Constitution, the rule of law, women’s empowerment, and minority rights are in front of everyone. You have seen that on the subcontinent, no other family has rendered more sacrifices than the Bhutto family.”

In response to a question, Yousuf Raza Gilani called it Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) responsibility to hold free and fair elections. He said, “I feel there should be a level playing field for all in the elections and no one should be given preference.”

Expressing his views regarding a large number of objections raised by the ECP on candidates’ nomination papers, Gilani stressed that the PPP has given its stance.

He said, “Our party has given its stance, even Bilawal Bhutto sahib has. He also spoke of a level playing field. […] the returning officer has raised objections on some nomination papers. Now we have to see what their legal team is working on.”

Responding to question about the nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi being rejected, Gilani said, “I won’t repeat my stance over it. The policy statement I or Bilalwal had to give was already given.”