Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has hoped that the prolonged stay of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif in London with his brother and convicted former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, and the “silence” of the latter’s daughter, Maryam Nawaz, are not because a deal has been struck.

“Every political party has a role to play. I hope that all this is not part of any deal or understanding. Everyone should make efforts to fulfil the wishes of the people of Pakistan. As the PPP chairman, I am here in the country and will not run away,” Bilawal said in an exclusive conversation with Dawn, to a question regarding rumours that Maryam was not issuing any statements because of some kind of understanding with the establishment for her to leave the country despite the cases against her.

When asked about reports of a “London plan” due to the presence of some prominent personalities in the United Kingdom, Bilawal said he did not know anything. “I believe these are conspiratorial talks. Only the people of Pakistan should be decision-makers.”

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He also expressed ignorance about any possible agreement between Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the establishment at the time of the party’s sit-in in Islamabad in October last year, saying that his party had categorically stated even during the sit-in that it would not support any such agreement nor would it back any kind of deal in future to oust the rulers.