PPP Signals Willingness for Fresh Elections Amid Political Tensions

Pakistan People's Party expresses readiness for new elections if PM Shehbaz Sharif dissolves parliament. The call comes amid rising political tensions and criticism over the Supreme Court's delayed verdict on reserved seats, potentially affecting the ruling coalition's majority.

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari announced on Sunday that his party is prepared to go for fresh elections if Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif opts to dissolve the lower house of parliament, Geo News reported. This declaration comes as the federal government's frustration grows over the Supreme Court's delayed decision on reserved seats, a situation that threatens the ruling coalition's two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.

In an interview with a private news channel, Bukhari stated, "If there is a danger, then the Prime Minister should advise dissolving parliament and call for new elections." He criticized the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership for not sharing any issues it might be facing with the PPP, although he affirmed his party's support in strengthening the PML-N in parliament. However, he emphasized that the ruling party must deliver on its promises.

Bukhari also took aim at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its leader, Imran Khan, labeling him as an "untrustworthy man who takes U-turns in politics as a matter of pride." He noted that former President Asif Ali Zardari had offered several times to mediate political disputes but received no willingness to negotiate. Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister Ataullah Tarar expressed concerns about the delayed Supreme Court ruling on reserved seats, calling for discussions on the dissenting note by two judges. The court's decision had reinstated PTI's eligibility for reserved seats, affecting the national and provincial assemblies.

(With inputs from agencies.)