Chairman PPP said that he was merely a year old, when an abduction attempt was made on him at the PM House. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was targeted by religious, linguistic terrorists throughout her life, and embraced martyrdom. The fire of terrorism then engulfed all four provinces. During that tough era, the entire nation came together, including the citizens, soldiers, policemen and frontline defenders. The House unified against a common enemy, despite each political party holding its individual views. At that time too, PTI’s politics of protests was ongoing and polarisation reached its peak. We would say with pride that the Pakistani people have broken the backbone of terrorists, Chairman Bilawal said.
Chairman PPP said that the same fire of terrorism has begin to erupt again, and we are in a more vulnerable state than earlier. We do not enjoy the same unity and consensus as earlier, and the terrorists and anti-Pakistan elements are taking advantage of this. They are making continuous attacks from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Balochistan, with each tragedy greater than the previous one. Terrorists have no views or narrative, and religious terrorists have no religion, Chairman PPP said. The aim of these entities is to spread terror and take innocent lives. Religious terrorists do not want a religious state, and neither do these so-called Baloch terrorists want any rights. Their sole purpose is to erect obstacles in the path of Pakistan’s progress, and are backed by foreign powers financially and logistically.
Chairman Bilawal asked what connection the innocent civilians had with geopolitics or international dynamics. He said that it is convenient to condemn these acts, but our responsibility is to deduce practical measures. From Parachinar to Bolan, these people are playing Holi with the blood of the Pakistani people. Every political party should term these terrorists as a common enemy. Chairman PPP further appreciated the Defense Minister’s praise of CM Balochistan for his efforts. Chairman Bilawal said that we should offer unconditional support to our provinces, be it CM Balochistan or CM KP to combat this vice. He also said that the PPP welcomes suggestions pertaining to any shortcomings regarding it’s government when it comes to the law and order situation.
Chairman Bilawal said that the National Action Plan was made under PM Nawaz Sharif, and PM Shehbaz Sharif too can make National Action Plan 2. During PPP’s government, we presented a dialogue, deterence and development policy. We fulfilled the expectations of the people in the shape of the 18th Amendment and the NFC Award. We combatted the people who are not willing to accept humanity and our Constitution. We defeated them in North and South Waziristan, Karachi, Balochistan and FATA. We can defeat them again, Chairman Bilawal said.
Chairman PPP said that we are aware of the demands of the people of Balochistan. They are asking for their due share and rights. These issues persist, but their primary demand is to attain the right to live. We should do everything in our power to end terrorism while preventing collateral damage. If consensus is not reached on this issue, then as the former Foreign Minister, Chairman Bilawal said that he can assert that the foreign powers against Pakistan will be strengthened further. The fire that engulfs Balochistan, will then spread to the rest of the country and world. Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP stands shoulder to shoulder in condemnation of terrorism, but stresses on a unified reaction.
Regarding President Zardari’s address before the Parliament, Chairman Bilawal said that it was hoped that his speech was received with the same tolerance with which the House heard the Opposition Leader’s address. The speech was not an ordinary political talk, but a message in favour of unity. President Zardari explained that politics is the art of give and take, for which the best place is the National Assembly. His talk ranged from economy, terrorism and foreign policy to the burning water issue. He highlighted the government’s performance regarding the economic situation. Chairman PPP said that it is unfortunate that those the message was addressed to were unwilling to listen. President Zardari also touched upon global issues, regional and international partners including Palestine and Kashmir.
As a representative of the federation, Chairman Bilawal said that President Zardari opposed the canals project. The entire country witnessed the differences between the messages sent that day. While President Zardari conveyed positive developments and expressed necessary concerns, the sole demand on the other side was releasing Prisoner 804. As the President talked of the plight of the Palestinian and Kashmiri people, he was met by slogans for the release of the same prisoner. Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP has had a consistent position on policies made sans consensus, but supports initiatives that are in favour of agricultural growth.
Chairman PPP said that the Opposition may be passionate about their leader’s release, but this country houses people with diverse perspectives who have no interest in a prisoner’s release. He said that as the provincial government in the KP, they have other responsibilities and issues as well. They could spare some attention for other burning issues, such as terrorism, unemployment and lack of development in KP. Chairman PPP said that political parties must put their own interests aside for the sake of the country.