KARACHI:
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized the need for political stability and the enforcement of the state’s authority, stressing that it must now be decided whether this stability is achieved through dialogue or by force.
“We require political stability to address the nation’s issues. However, the opposition stands as the primary obstacle to achieving this stability,” Bilawal said on Saturday.
Speaking via video link from 150 locations across the country to mark his party’s 57th foundation day, Bilawal seemed to refer to the PTI, which recently held a march on the capital to pressure the government into releasing former prime minister Imran Khan.
The PTI claims that a brutal crackdown by authorities on November 26 resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen protesters, though the government strongly denies this.
Bilawal criticized the PTI indirectly, saying that the events following Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, and the protest march between November 24 and 26 could not be considered political.
“Why does the opposition, which rejects democracy, expect others to engage in democratic conduct with them?” Bilawal questioned.
He noted that the opposition had always refused to engage with other political parties, instead preferring dialogue with the establishment or non-political figures.
Bilawal subtly critiqued the PTI, stating that if they wish to secure the release of their founding chairman, they should focus entirely on the task and abandon the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government.
“But no one can be allowed to storm the capital like an army,” he said, referencing the PTI’s march, where convoys forced their way through barriers into Islamabad.
Bilawal suggested that the PML-N government might be considering banning the PTI, which he argued lacks a political mindset. He also mentioned that there may be plans to impose Governor’s Rule in a province, although the PPP had not been consulted on these matters. The PPP, he emphasized, traditionally opposes such measures and advocates for positive politics and political solutions.
Paying tribute to PPP’s founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Bilawal said the people of Pakistan still see his legacy as a source of solutions to their challenges.
“Shaheed Bhutto gave the nation democracy, a people-friendly constitution, economic reforms, and the nuclear program. Sadly, he was a victim of judicial murder,” Bilawal remarked.
He acknowledged the party’s struggles, stating, “Efforts were made to destroy the PPP’s ideology through oppression, but the party endured due to its connection with the people, the sacrifices of its workers, and the visionary leadership of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.”
Bilawal praised his mother, Benazir Bhutto, for overcoming conspiracies against the PPP.
“She faced two dictators with unparalleled resilience, leading the party and implementing pro-people economic policies that created job opportunities. Her leadership earned her a unique place in history, and her words continue to resonate globally,” Bilawal said.
He also paid tribute to former President Asif Ali Zardari, acknowledging his role in expanding the PPP’s influence, achieving milestones like the 18th Amendment, and launching the Benazir Income Support Program.
“Zardari became Pakistan’s first president to be re-elected. Under his leadership, the PPP strengthened its presence in Sindh and Balochistan, securing key positions like the chairmanship of the Senate and deputy speakership of the National Assembly after the February 8 elections,” Bilawal added.
Commenting on the current political situation, Bilawal noted that no party had secured a clear majority in the February general elections. “Our party supported the PML-N to form a government to tackle economic crises and inflation, without joining the cabinet, giving them the full opportunity to address national issues,” he said.
On terrorism, Bilawal called for the revival of the National Action Plan, warning of the significant threat terrorism poses to national stability. He criticized the K-P government for mishandling the situation in Parachinar, stressing its responsibility for maintaining law and order.
Bilawal also opposed the government’s economic policies, particularly those affecting farmers, such as the imposition of agricultural taxes, and highlighted the detrimental effects on the IT sector.
He called for the development of agriculture and technology sectors to bolster the nation’s economy and reaffirmed the PPP’s commitment to promoting democratic values, addressing public issues, and continuing the party’s legacy of serving the people.
In his speech to party workers and leaders in Hyderabad, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasized the PPP’s historical contributions and unwavering commitment to democracy and public service.
He paid tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who founded the party on November 30, 1967, highlighting his visionary leadership, struggle against dictatorship, and efforts to make Pakistan a nuclear power.
“Shaheed Bhutto empowered the people through their vote and gave them a voice,” Shah said. He condemned the verdict that led to Bhutto’s execution, calling it “judicial murder,” and welcomed the Supreme Court’s recent recognition of this injustice.
