Proposed legislation in Senate, National Assembly: Bilawal rules out support to PML-N govt
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday ruled out his party’s support for the PML-N-led government’s proposed legislation in the Senate and National Assembly until the PPP’s outstanding grievances are addressed.
“My party will withhold its support for the PML-N-led government until its concerns, including those related to the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, are addressed. Our grievances have not been addressed, which is why no member of my party will vote for their proposed legislation, whether in the Senate or the National Assembly. If they have the numbers to pass their legislation without PPP support, they are free to do so,” Bilawal said while addressing a press conference in his chamber at Parliament House.
Bilawal said the PPP would sit in the opposition in the Kashmir Assembly, while the PML-N could form the government.
He said Parliament faced several challenges, including the failure of some lawmakers to uphold its dignity. He said opposition parties were distancing themselves from the democratic process and called for this trend to be reversed.
Responding to a question about the AJK elections, Bilawal said that in a sensitive region like Kashmir, elections should have been held free of controversy, particularly given concerns in constituencies including Bhimber and Mirpur that the law-and-order situation could deteriorate.
He said PPP candidates had been attacked and faced difficulties during the AJK elections, adding that what happened in the Poonch area was also in front of everyone.
“If the PML-N wanted a controversial government after a controversial election, then congratulations to them,” he said, questioning whether this was how the PML-N treated its coalition partners.
He clarified that he had referred to the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments in his earlier comments, adding that no specific proposal regarding any new amendment had yet been presented to him.
“If they want to strengthen the institution of Parliament, they need to move ahead with political consensus and not through forceful tactics,” he said.
Responding to questions about the creation of new provinces, Bilawal said the PPP’s position was clear: wherever there is consensus, a new province should be created.
“The most important thing is that if the people of a province want a new province and there is consensus, their opinion should be respected,” he said.
Bilawal said the PPP had never opposed the creation of new provinces and questioned how anyone could claim otherwise.
He said he had promised provinces to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and South Punjab, adding that the views of people seeking a new province should be respected.
He said he could not oppose the creation of a province if the relevant provincial assembly did not reject the proposal.
Referring to Sindh, he asked how many resolutions had been passed there regarding the creation of new provinces and called on the government to answer the question.
“I cannot even imagine conspiring against Punjab,” Bilawal said, stressing that decisions should be made with the people’s consensus.
“We did not accept coercion yesterday, and we will never accept it today or tomorrow,” he said.
Bilawal also welcomed the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan to hospital for treatment following a Supreme Court decision, describing it as a “democratic tradition.”
Bilawal said the purpose of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission was to ensure justice for the innocent and punishment for those found guilty.
He added that until such a commission was formed, protesters should return home peacefully.
Responding to a question about whether the government and the establishment were on the same page, Bilawal said they could be, but “something is amiss”.
“If there are any differences between the two, sooner or later, they will emerge into the open,” he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026