If PML-N has solid proof of rigging in NA-249 by-polls, then it should contact ECP: Bilawal

• Bilawal says PML-N should contact ECP if it has proof of rigging in NA-249 by-polls.
• PML-N's demand to hand over the ballot boxes to the army for recounting is unreasonable, says Bilawal.
• In every other by-polls, the vote bank of the PPP continues to increase, the PPP chairman claims.

KARACHI: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Monday said that if PML-N has solid proof of rigging in NA-249 by-polls, then it should contact the Election Commission of Pakistan. 

Bilawal's comments came during a press conference, held at the Bilawal House in Karachi, related to the Benazir Mazdoor Card initiative taken by the PPP-led Sindh government to provide financial provisions to poor labourers.

It should be recalled that PML-N candidate Miftah Ismail had earlier requested the ECP to recount the votes of the April 29 NA-249 by-election in Karachi after PPP's Abdul Qadir Mandokhel bagged 16,156 votes to win the seat. 

The PML-N and the PTI both had cried foul and rejected the results, while the ECP had accepted Miftah Ismail's request to recount the votes. 

"Since PML-N has lost the seat, they want the army to interfere in the matter. It should be recalled that in 2018, the army was deployed at all the polling stations of the country."

He said that PML-N's demand to hand over the ballot boxes to the army for recounting is "unreasonable," adding that the PPP does not support such demands. 

"While Imran Khan is speaking about dissolving the assembly, PML-N is talking about resigning from the assembly. Therefore, both seem to be on the same page," said Bilawal.

'PPP always advocated for electoral reforms'

Bilawal said that his party has always been an advocate of electoral reforms, adding that the PPP is ready for all such reforms. 

"In a bid to stop rigging in elections, it is necessary to introduce legislation," said Bilawal. 

Praising his party, he said that in every other by-polls, the vote bank of the PPP continues to increase.

'Benazir Mazdoor Card will be provided to all labourers of Sindh'

During the press conference, which took place at the Bilawal House, the PPP chairman said that the card will be provided to all the labourers of Sindh.

The Benazir Mazdoor card was launched on Saturday, May 1, to mark International Labour Day. 

During the conference, Bilawal said that the Mazdoor Card would allow labourers to avail all the necessary benefits and facilities, such as education, health, marriage grants, financial assistance, scholarships, as well as social insurance under the government's Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI).