Bilawal Challenges Mohsin Naqvi to Take ‘Collapsed’ System Debate to Parliament

LONDON: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has challenged Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to take his criticism of Pakistan’s political and governance system to parliament, arguing that the country’s future cannot be determined by a small group of businessmen at business forums.

Speaking to the media in London, Bilawal said Naqvi had every right to express his views but should present his concerns before the National Assembly if he believed the existing system had failed.

He said parliament should debate the reasons behind the system’s shortcomings and determine practical measures to address them.

Bilawal criticised Naqvi’s limited presence in the National Assembly, saying that instead of discussing such issues at business gatherings, the interior minister should raise them on the parliamentary floor.

The PPP chairman said he was willing to debate the matter with any federal minister or government representative in parliament.

Bilawal said Pakistan’s political and governance challenges were not new and could not be resolved through slogans or statements alone.

He called for an open political debate over the causes of institutional weaknesses and the reforms required to address them.

When asked whether Naqvi was speaking on behalf of someone else, Bilawal replied that Naqvi was speaking for himself, while he was speaking for himself.

Speaking about the growing debate over the creation of new provinces, Bilawal said the PPP’s position had remained consistent for years.

He said the wishes of people in regions including Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab and Sindh should be reflected through their elected representatives and provincial assemblies.

Bilawal rejected the idea that creating additional provinces could automatically resolve Pakistan’s major economic and political problems.

He argued that issues such as political instability, poverty, unemployment and inflation could not simply be eliminated by redrawing provincial boundaries.

Bilawal also denied speculation that the PPP was preparing to withdraw its cooperation with the federal government.

He said discussions between representatives of the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were continuing and that the PPP remained fully engaged with the federal government.

The PPP chairman also criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s decision to boycott parliamentary forums, committees and elections.

He said the strategy was harmful not only to PTI and the opposition but also to parliament as an institution.

Bilawal argued that political parties should use parliamentary platforms to raise their concerns rather than withdrawing from the democratic process.

Bilawal also reiterated his reservations over the electoral process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, saying he had raised concerns about the elections from the beginning and continued to maintain his position.

He said discussions were ongoing between the PPP and PML-N to address the party’s concerns.

Bilawal was also questioned about his recent trip to Austria, which generated considerable speculation in Pakistan, including rumours about his marriage plans.

Responding to the speculation, Bilawal said it was amusing that people created rumours themselves and then asked him to comment on them.

Asked whether he had enjoyed his trip to Austria, he simply replied that it had been very good.

Bilawal also rejected claims that roads had been dug up or routes blocked during Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s recent visit to Sindh.

He said he had not seen the statement concerning the alleged road closures and added that he had welcomed the chief minister’s visit.

Bilawal stressed that political activity should take place across the country.

During his interaction with the media in London, Bilawal also congratulated Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on the graduation of her youngest daughter.

The comments came as Bilawal and Maryam Nawaz separately spoke to the media in London, with Pakistan’s political debate continuing to focus on governance reforms, new provinces, federal-provincial relations and the future direction of the country’s political system.