Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said on Friday that former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will be the party’s candidate for the prime minister slot.

In an interview with Samaa TV, Ashraf said: “Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is a mature leader. Asif Ali Zardari wants to see Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as the country’s premier.”Speaking about the level playing field, Ashraf said: “If Bilawal feels there is no level playing field, then the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should do something.”

He said, “The talks about Nawaz Sharif being the favourite seem to be part of the electoral campaign.” “The ideal party should have a combination of both youth and seasoned politicians,” Ashraf said.

Taking a dig at the political opponents, Ashraf said, “I am not talking about Raja Riaz. But I strongly dislike such a political attitude.”Ashraf recounted the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) tenure, saying, “The PDM-led government was formed by 13 political parties, which had run successfully for the past 16 months.”

He recalled the events that transpired on May 9, saying, “Those who are responsible for May 9 mayhem are the enemies of Pakistan. What had happened to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that it had resorted to the May 9 events?”He took a swipe at the PTI chief, saying, “The PTI chief is not a politician.”

Speaking about the elections, Ashraf said: “In connection with the constitution, it was up to the president to announce the election date. Even now, it is the president who has announced the election date.

He heaped praise on former president Asif Ali Zardari, saying, “Asif Ali Zardari knows the skills of taking everybody on board. Asif Ali Zardari had spearheaded the PPP in a difficult situation.”