PPP rejects media reports of Bilawal`s spat with Zardari as ‘malicious campaign’

Reacting reports about PPP patron in-chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari`s departure to Dubai allegedly after a spat with his father, the PPP has termed it a “Malicious campaign orchestrated to damage the party ahead of elections’.

Islamabad: Reacting to a news report published in an Indian newspaper about Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) patron in-chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari`s departure to Dubai allegedly after a spat with his father, the PPP has termed it a “Malicious campaign orchestrated to damage the party ahead of elections’. Bilawal`s sisters - Bakhtawar and Assefa - have also rejected the reports about differences between father and son. The Press Trust of India had reported that Bilawal had left Pakistan after differences with his father, and paternal aunt, Faryal Talpur over party matters, reports The Nation. It also reported that Bilawal was unhappy over the party`s handling of key issues, including militant violence, sectarian attacks against Shias and the award of party tickets for the polls scheduled for May 11.

The report stated that when Zardari told Bilawal that he would be handed over the command of the party after he is groomed politically, he got upset and left for Dubai. It also quoted PPP leader Latif Khosa as having said that there were security threats to the party`s leadership, especially Bilawal. PPP spokesperson Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Bilawal has left due to security concerns, but he would definitely return and lead the party`s election campaign. Kaira affirmed that Bilawal was head of a political party and would return soon to lead its election campaign. He added that it was not unusual for Bilawal to travel abroad. He further said that the media should behave responsibly, and follow a code of conduct. ANI