Bilawal Bhutto discloses power-sharing proposal from Nawaz Sharif's party

Former Pakistan Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, disclosed a rejected power-sharing proposition on Sunday, revealing that his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was offered a formula to share the prime minister's post with Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in a post-election alliance.

The revelation follows a meeting between the two parties, indicating progress without formal announcements.

Independent candidates, primarily backed by the incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), secured 93 out of the 265 contested National Assembly seats in the February 8 election. PML-N won 75 seats, PPP secured 54, and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) pledged support with its 17 seats, forming the basis of their alliance.

To secure a government, a party must claim 133 seats out of the 265 contested seats in the 266-member National Assembly.

During a rally in Thatta City, Sindh province, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, aged 35, disclosed the power-sharing proposal his party declined. The proposed arrangement suggested PML-N holding the premiership for the first three years, followed by PPP for the remaining two years, reported ANI.

Rejecting the proposition, Bilawal emphasised, "If I become the prime minister, it would be after the people of Pakistan elect me." He underscored the need for political parties to prioritise the people's issues over personal gains amid the economic and political challenges facing the nation.

The disclosure comes in the aftermath of Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha's allegations of manipulated poll results, leading to his resignation. Chattha asserted that candidates who were initially losing were later forced to win in the elections. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has initiated an investigation into the allegations, with the PPP calling for a thorough inquiry.