Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday announced challenging the election of Senate chairman, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, he said PPP’s struggle against the Senate chairman election would continue since what he said the returning officer (RO) had deprived party candidate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani of victory by not counting some valid votes. 

Bilawal said he was not expecting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to react to the appointment of Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani as opposition leader in the Senate the way ‘selected’ Prime Minister Imran Khan reacted on such occasions.  

He advised PML-N leaders to relax and stay cool. “I respect party supremo Nawaz Sharif and Vice President Maryam Nawaz,” he said, and added he wanted Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), opposition parties’ alliance, to remain intact.      

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He made it clear that neither he had criticised Maryam Nawaz in crisis before nor would he do so in future. 

PPP chairman stated categorically that his party had the right to have its candidate as opposition leader in the Upper House.  

Talking about the ordinance promulgated with respect to the State Bank of Pakistan, he termed it an assault on country’s sovereignty.  

He vowed to oppose the ordinance at all forums. 

PPP chairman said this time the party would observe the death anniversary of former premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto at district level, and in complete compliance with coronavirus-related standard operating procedures (SOPs). 

On the third wave of the pandemic in the country, he said it was spreading fast, particularly in Punjab. 

He claimed that as far as vaccination drive was concerned, Pakistan was behind other countries. 

Regarding Prime Minister’s instructions to Nadeem Babar, to step down as his special assistant in order to ensure fair and transparent inquiry into the petroleum scandal, Bilawal was of the view that not only Nadeem, but the entire cabinet, including PM Imran should leave the office.