ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto announced on Tuesday that his party will not be entering into any coalition government, opting instead to support the candidate for prime minister from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) while maintaining its stance in opposition.
During a press conference following a two-day Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting, Bilawal Bhutto stated that the PPP has concluded it lacks the capability and interest to join the federal government or take up ministerial roles within such a framework. He emphasized that the party recognizes its insufficient mandate to lead the government at the national level and hence, he will not be vying for the position of prime minister. Bilawal acknowledged that both the PML-N and independent candidates hold stronger numerical support.
Bilawal also highlighted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s rejection of a coalition with the PPP, leaving the PML-N as the sole party extending an invitation for cooperation in government formation.
Earlier discussions within the senior PPP leadership had cautioned against forming a coalition with the PML-N and recommended opting for the opposition bench.
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The majority of the committee members suggested prioritizing opposition over coalition formation, foreseeing challenges in establishing a robust coalition government.
They emphasized the importance of respecting the mandate of independent candidates, who emerged as frontrunners according to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s 2024 results.
CEC members expressed concerns that advocating for a PPP prime ministership could result in political setbacks and proposed exploring dialogue with the PTI instead of the PML-N. However, some suggested negotiating for significant positions within the government, including the premiership, to showcase the party’s capabilities.
In a separate development, the PML-N purportedly offered the PPP the presidency, the speakership of the National Assembly, and the chairmanship of the Senate in exchange for support in government formation at the federal and Punjab levels. Additionally, the PML-N reportedly agreed to allocate the Chief Minister position of Balochistan to the PPP led by Bilawal Bhutto.
