PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that democracy and elections in Pakistan have been put on hold for one man’s return to the country.

“Homecoming is a good thing as everybody should contribute to the development of Pakistan. The previous 16-month government has proved that Pakistan’s affairs cannot be run from London,” he said while addressing a party rally in memory of the Karsaz incident victims in Karachi.

Taking a dig at Nawaz Sharif without naming him, Zardari said that he hoped that the homecoming would be a big event as the state has backed his return.

“We hope that the Election Commission of Pakistan will then give us the elections’ date and schedule very soon,” he added.

Zardari said that there was a need to show tolerance for differences of opinion in the political atmosphere of Pakistan to steer the country out of its political and economic troubles.

“Our society has been destroyed due to divisive and abusive politics. We need to come out of this environment and introduce a new vision to resolve the country’s issues,” he added.

The PPP chief said that the elections and parliament are necessary for representing the masses. “The Parliament is a place where the opinions of all are heard and then come to a collective decision to address the challenges.”

Read: PTI, PPP claim Nawaz’s return is part of some ‘deal’

The PPP has set such examples in the past, as it has shown that a consensus can be reached despite having differences, he added.

He also paid tribute to the people of Palestine for their resilience in their struggle for the right to self-determination, while condemning the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

“The people of Pakistan are standing with the Palestinians. You were not alone yesterday, you are not alone today, you won’t be alone tomorrow, you won’t ever be alone as long as Pakistan exists,” Bilawal said.