Senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khurshid Shah has publicly admitted that his party’s decision to join the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) coalition government was a mistake.
In an interview on Dawn News, Shah sought forgiveness for the move, emphasizing the need for a specific election date.
“We were there 16 months [in the government]. We made a mistake, forgive us. We committed a mistake,” Shah stated, acknowledging the party’s misstep.
The PPP leader stated that the past should be left behind and emphasized the need for a specific election date.
When asked again if the PPP had erred by participating in the previous coalition
government, Shah reiterated, “I say forgive us, we made a mistake. There, are you content? Now, provide the [election] date.”
He mentioned that the PPP’s support wasn’t directed at any specific government but rather aimed at upholding democracy and the parliament.
“We upheld and safeguarded the slogan of ‘vote ko izzat do’ (respect the vote), not the PML-N. Despite that, we say, forgive us, as we were part of the government for 16 months, so please forgive us.
“It was a mistake, so now announce the elections. What else are we requesting?”
In response to a query regarding the PPP’s initial congratulatory message to caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and subsequent accusations of favoritism towards the PML-N, Shah clarified, “The PML-N is part of that [caretaker government], we are not. We could also have joined and secured four ministries, but we realized that by doing so, we might hinder the prospect of timely elections.”
He further emphasized that the PPP’s primary goal was to ensure elections proceed in accordance with the law and the Constitution.
