Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed frustration with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), accusing the party of not honoring agreements and failing to treat PPP with respect in the federal government.
Speaking to the media at Bilawal House in Karachi on Thursday, Bilawal emphasized that his concerns were not personal but centered on issues of honor and political integrity. “Politics is about respect, not resentment,” he said, noting that if the judiciary included representation from rural Sindh, PPP would have demanded equal treatment.
Bilawal criticized the government for failing to adhere to its promises, particularly during constitutional reforms. He pointed out discrepancies in policy implementation, especially when comparing Sindh’s treatment to other provinces. “The government made commitments during the reform process but later adopted a different approach for Sindh,” he stated.
The PPP leader also expressed disappointment over the lack of consultation in key government decisions, citing the approval of projects like the canals under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) without proper dialogue. “We agreed on consultation, but decisions were made without it,” Bilawal added.
Responding to the recent killing of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, Bilawal condemned the act, calling it a “crime against humanity” and supporting the Chinese ambassador’s statement that such murders were “unacceptable.” He emphasized the need to protect Chinese citizens, who play a vital role in Pakistan’s economy.
Bilawal also addressed the rising security concerns, particularly terrorism, urging the government to take stronger action. “We need less talk and more concrete action to combat terrorism,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for a national action plan to tackle extremism, particularly in Balochistan and the former tribal areas.
Commenting on the US elections and the victory of President-Elect Donald Trump, Bilawal suggested it wouldn’t significantly affect Pakistan’s politics. Reflecting on the state of Pakistan-US relations, he noted that ties have deteriorated and called for efforts to improve them.
Bilawal also criticized the government’s recent decision to impose further restrictions on the internet and VPN services. He argued that those responsible for these decisions were out of touch with reality, pointing out the negative impact on access to technology. “The internet is so slow now, it feels like the 1990s again,” he said, referring to the outdated internet speeds reminiscent of his childhood.
In a separate update, Bilawal provided information about his father, former President Asif Ali Zardari’s health. He explained that Zardari is recovering from a leg injury that resulted in four fractures and would need a few weeks to fully recover.
