No snap elections, important for assemblies to finish their terms, says Bilawal in Al Jazeera interview

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari ruled out early elections on Monday, saying that it is critical for the assemblies to complete their terms in order for democracy to survive.
During an interview with Doha-based Al-Jazeera, Bilawal stated that PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s demand for early elections is a political agenda. He stated that the coalition parties are working together to resolve the issues, and that the previous government passed on a deteriorated economy to the current one.
“The previous government’s failed foreign policy isolated us from the rest of the world,” said the foreign minister. He went on to say that the current administration was looking for solutions to internal problems as well as international consensus.

He stated that in order to address the challenges left by the previous administration, the entire country must come together, as no single political party or individual can address the situation alone.
Bilawal dismissed accusations of a US conspiracy in the removal of Khan’s government, saying political leaders should speak the truth to their people rather than concocting such conspiracy theories.
“Imran Khan’s accusations against the United States were political,” he said.
He told the interviewer that this was the first time a prime minister had been removed constitutionally, rather than through a coup or a court order.

When asked about the early elections, Bilawal stated that instead of advancing democracy, the early elections would advance Khan’s agenda. He stated that it was critical for the assemblies to finish their terms unless there was an emergency, which there was not at the time.
In response to a question, the foreign minister stated that Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIJOK) was an unfinished agenda. “Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election, the space for Muslims in India and Kashmir has shrunk,” he added.
He stated that the people of Pakistan and India want to live in peace. To do so, it was critical to adhere to international laws and conventions governing the fight against terrorism and extremism.

Concerning Afghanistan, the foreign minister stated that Pakistan was engaging with the war-torn country in the interests of both Pakistan and its neighbours.

However, he stated that the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had previously been involved in terror attacks that were still ongoing.

He stated that Pakistan would collaborate with the Afghan government to address the threat posed by terrorist organisations.