Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a Q/A session on “Chuno Nayi Soch Ko” at the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), expressed his gratitude to the administration of the institute, and especially the students in attendance.
Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP has curated a detailed manifesto, as well as a 10-point ‘Awami, Muashi Muahida’. The PPP has addressed the main issues faced by the Pakistani people, including climate change among a plethora of pressing issues such as inflation, poverty and unemployment. The PPP consulted various experts on the severity of the dangers posed by climate change. The largest collection of snow and ice, after the North and South poles, is in the Himalayan range in Pakistan. Until now, the world was under the impression that only the polar bears and penguins were endangered due to the climate change. It did not occur to anyone what would become of the 250 million people living directly underneath the third-largest collection of ice and snow anywhere on the planet. Chairman Bilawal said that not only the Pakistani people but the international community needs to be apprised of the fact that Pakistani is a frontline state and its contribution to carbon emissions is less than 1% yet its survival is at stake. The solution to this problem cannot be reached alone, and the threat of climate change needs to combatted in collaboration with the rest of the world.
Chairman Bilawal said that along with this existential crisis, Pakistan is also facing a grave economic crisis. The unprecedented increase in the living costs has not been proportional to the increase in the income of the people. The traditional trickle-down economics, which caters to the elite of the country is no longer a viable option as it has been unsuccessful. If the downtrodden are empowered with the same resources used to benefit the elite, only then can the economy function. The PPP analysed the statistical figures of the country, and it was surprising to discover that the 17 ministries which were to be devolved were still operated by the federation and more than 300 billion rupees is spent by the government to run them annually. Moreover, our elite is given subsidies worth 1500 billion rupees every year. Hence, the PPP decided to not only shut the 17 ministries but dedicate the entire amount saved from the subsidies given to the elite to the downtrodden masses of the country. From the time of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to today, the development expenditure has gone down from 12% to 2% of the GDP. We wish to revisit the entire development model of the country. We have to base our entire economic framework around a ‘Climate Resilient Pakistan’ to protect the country and its people.
We need to take this challenge by the horns, Chairman Bilawal said. We have to improve our irrigation, communication, agriculture and energy infrastructure. If we invest in these sectors, we cannot only combat climate change but generate employment for the people nationwide. These are difficult decisions, but they need to be taken. The mindset of the bureaucracy of Islamabad neither wishes to work, nor does it let anyone work. Moreover, there are powerful lobbies in the elite that have influence over the government. A powerful reaction is expected from the powerful sectors. However, since the PPP government is spending the money on the people through the ‘Benazir Mazdoor Card’, ‘Benazir Kissan Card’, ‘Youth Card’, BISP, solar energy parks among other projects, the woes of the elite and the bureaucracy would not outweigh the benefits being provided to the people.
Responding to questions, Chairman Bilawal said that in his travels across Pakistan, he was most touched in Gilgit Baltistan. He said that he was questioned about Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s book, as well as climate change. Chairman Bilawal said that the issue of climate change is most significant for the people of Gilgit Baltistan but actually, this threat is rampant all over the country. In the recent catastrophic floods, one-thirds of the country was submerged in water including regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and South Punjab. One cannot breathe in Lahore. Prior to the floods, Pakistan was facing one of its longest droughts along with forest fires in KP and Balochistan. The PPP proposes to put an end to the traditional manner of development planning. The people of Pakistan do not trust the current system of the distribution of electricity, hence the PPP aims to construct green energy parks in every district all over the country in partnership with the private sector. Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP’s 300 units policy is being criticised, but it aims to not give the same amount of subsidy to big industries, but the people directly.
Responding to another question, Chairman Bilawal said that the 10-point economic agenda presented by the PPP is a testament of the Party’s basic philosophy still being ‘Roti, Kapra Aur Makaan’. However, implementation on a manifesto cannot take place without a fresh view and perspective. Chairman PPP said that the politics of hate and division is at its peak in Pakistan and has divided the entire society. Hyper-partisanship and hyper-polarisation have crippled the economic and democratic fabric, contributing to the societal ‘fever’ we are currently witnessing. If the political parties of the country continue to engage in the politics of revenge and personal vendetta, then the country cannot progress. The economic crisis that every citizen of the country is facing is one of the worst in our history. Moreover, the country is also suffering through a revival of terrorism as it raises its head once again. Hence, it is unfortunate that current political actors only plan to contribute to the politics of hatred and division, not diminish it. The PPP wishes to bury this form of traditional politics. The Party has never kept a political prisoner, nor does it plan to erect obstacles in the path of media houses or opponents who have criticised it. A difference of opinion does not mean that we should resort to personal enmity.
Answering a question, Chairman PPP said that the Party aims to eradicate the financial problems faced by the people by initiating projects such as ‘Peoples Poverty Alleviation’ as well as the ‘Benazir Mazdoor Card’ and ‘Benazir Kissan Card’ on a large scale in order to provide social and economic security to the people.
Responding to another question, Chairman Bilawal said that it is unfortunate that the rulers of the country do not take the crises faced by the people seriously. Had it been any other country, the entire focus would have been on saving the country from the economic condition. Pakistan has never been so vulnerable in the international domain as it is today. The measures taken by Imran Khan and the unity government’s economic teams amount to playing politics with the economy of the country. They both failed to address the financial problems. When Imran Khan could see himself failing the no-confidence motion, he reduced the price of petrol to win the support of the Pakistani people. Imran Khan, Sharif family or Ishaq Dar did not bear the burden of these decisions, the people did. The PPP had joined the unity government with the hopes that the problems of the people would be taken seriously. While the country was saved from a default, due to floods and bye-elections, the country’s government decided not to implement on the IMF deal for three months. Hence, the economic team of the unity government had the same fatal flaw as Imran Khan. The people of the country are still bearing the brunt of these mistakes. The time has come that the people stop compromising and sacrificing, but the federal government and the elite. Chairman PPP said that if the government of the country is well-intentioned, then the deals made with international institutions can be in the favour of the downtrodden.
Responding to a question regarding the BISP, Chairman PPP said that it is the first social safety net in Pakistan and it has become the standard regionally, from Egypt to Philippines. Not only do the governments support the poorest of factions financially, but also empower the women. It was Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s philosophy that women cannot be truly empowered until they are financially empowered. This has not made our women into beggars but empowered them. There are various examples of women being alleviated from the poverty line. They have been able to acquire education for their children through this. It was never meant to be just the BISP, as the PPP simultaneously aimed to introduce the ‘Waseela-e-Haq, Rozgaar, Taleem and Sehat’. The Party desired a comprehensive poverty alleviation. However, the following governments did not support the other aspects of the project.
Talking about the Peoples Housing Initiative, Chairman PPP said that the PPP through its own efforts during the Sindh government is building 20 million houses for the flood victims in a revolutionary step. It is one of the biggest reconstructions of housing programmes ever after a natural disaster. It is not only catering to the need for shelter, but also women empowerment while also being the biggest means of asset transfer. Hence, the PPP is planning to further strengthen the people by providing them with an asset, which can empower them financially overnight and provide investment opportunities.
Answering another question, Chairman Bilawal said that the correct way of tackling pressure by the elite was the one introduced by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, due to which he was sent to the gallows. It was the last time that the elite of Pakistan was shaken up aggressively by the state. A reaction to the PPP’s policy is inevitable, but the solution is to help repose the trust and stake between the people and the country, economy and state. Chairman Bilawal said that he can build metros and spend the money elsewhere, but that will be met with resistance. However, since the money is being spent on the people directly, the public at least will stand for the measures and help the government deal with the elite.
Responding to a question regarding the marginalised communities and religious minorities, Chairman Bilawal said that in the detailed manifesto the Party has laid out a comprehensive plan to address the various issues faced by the minorities in Pakistan. Even in the past, the PPP has made efforts to address the concerns of these communities through legislative measures. In the ‘Rights For All’ section of the manifesto, the measures to be taken by the Party have been addressed in detail. The PPP has made pledges regarding addressing the issues of enforced disappearances and misuse of the blasphemy law.
Responding to a question regarding South Punjab, Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP has always focused on the region in every era. PPP is the only party that provided South Punjab with its due share. The PPP took the initiative to make South Punjab a province, and even legislated in this regard. If it is desired by the people that this is implemented, then the solution is to allow for the PPP to have a two-thirds majority. However, till then, measures can be taken to help empower the downtrodden people from the region and address their issues in the mainstream.
Answering a question regarding the brain drain, Chairman Bilawal said that it is a genuine problem. The demographic growth rates of the country show a significant population of the youth. Providing employment to the youth is a major challenge. The PPP has proposed to invest in the economy in a manner that helps create economic activity. We have to transform this crisis into an opportunity. In countries worldwide, their demographic dynamic is the exact opposite as there is a deficit in the population of the youth. They cannot fill the jobs in their economy with their own population. Hence, the PPP has begun its work regarding this, and during my time in the office, we initiated discussions with the European Union as well as countries all over, Chairman Bilawal said. Japan needs four million people to come to their country every year to tackle their dynamic challenge. The PPP aims to equip the youngsters with the modern and technical skills while providing language courses so that they can make the country proud all over the globe as was the case during the Quaid-e-Awam’s era.
Chairman PPP said that the Party has awarded 18% of its tickets to the youth, as opposed to the significantly lower seats awarded by the PTI and PML-N. The future generations of the country would have to bear the consequences of the decisions taken by parties that are still engaging in the traditional form of politics. This is the reason why the youth should at least be given a seat on the table so that they can voice their concerns. The mayors of Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana are all young. There should be a transition, and the youth should be given an opportunity. If given the chance, the youngsters of Pakistan can deliver.
Responding to a question, Chairman Bilawal said that there are two ways to engage in politics. One way is to use force, while the other is to prioritise the will of the people. The beauty of the parliamentary system lies in it giving us an opportunity to listen to the other side, and consider everyone equal and meander through the diverse opinions. When politics resorts to personal vendetta, then progress cannot take place. We cannot remain a welfare state for the elite, while we continue to be a country that sees a historic rise in poverty, inflation and unemployment. Overqualified people are working in underqualified positions. The PPP is willing to compromise and talk to others, given that they put forward a proposal and are willing to work for the sake of the people.
Responding to a question regarding the implementation plan, Chairman PPP said that he would utilise the help of the youngsters, as the country needs out-of-the-box solutions. We need the energy of the youngsters, and a PPP government will proactively engage people from all backgrounds.
Chairman Bilawal said that as the Foreign Minister, he made efforts to encourage the monetisation of digital platforms in Pakistan including META. The PPP wishes to invest in communication infrastructure. The era of investing in motorways is over, and the people need to be provided with high-speed internet all over the country. Resultantly, the youth will itself help the country emerge from the economic quagmire.