Bilawal accuses President Alvi of violating constitutional mandate  

Islamabad: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed strong criticism towards President Arif Alvi on Tuesday, highlighting the failure to convene the National Assembly’s inaugural session. Bilawal raised doubts about Alvi's suitability for the office, citing potential legal hurdles that could obstruct his performance.

Bilawal underscored the significance of institutions adhering to their constitutional mandates. He also emphasized the importance of politicians operating within their prescribed boundaries and displaying mutual respect.

He expressed these words while talking to the reporters outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The PPP chairman accused President Alvi of violating both his oath of office and the constitution. He referenced previous instances such as the dissolution of the National Assembly during a no-confidence motion against the PTI government by the joint opposition led by PDM.

Bilawal disclosed plans to nominate Asif Ali Zardari for the presidency, following the announcement of the election schedule by the Election Commission of Pakistan, with polling set for March 9.

Regarding the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Bilawal clarified that the entity had not solicited PPP's support for votes, thereby dismissing criticism of his party's alleged lack of cooperation. He acknowledged the surge of PTI-independents joining the SIC after the Feb 8 elections, seeking reserved seats in various legislative bodies, a matter subject to determination by the ECP and contested by rival parties.

Earlier, on Monday, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf summoned the National Assembly session for Feb 29 in response to the president's failure to fulfill his constitutional obligation.

Senior leaders from PML-N and PPP asserted that if the president did not sign the summary for convening a session, the National Assembly speaker was empowered to do so on the 21st day following the elections, as stipulated by Article 91 of the Constitution.