Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chaired a meeting of the party’s parliamentary party on Thursday, attended by party members of the National Assembly and Senate. First Lady and Member of the National Assembly Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also attended the meeting. After the meeting, Chairman Bilawal spoke to journalists at the National Assembly and answered their questions.
Responding to questions, Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that without the PPP, the passage of constitutional amendments and the federal budget would not be possible. He stated that both he and President Asif Ali Zardari remain in contact with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, but the government has not contacted the PPP regarding any new constitutional amendment. He said the PPP’s role in the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments is evident to everyone. “We did not allow the rights of the provinces to be reduced; instead, we expanded them. Through our amendments, Balochistan’s representation in the Senate increased,” he added.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the people of the country are facing severe hardships due to inflation. He noted that the PPP has continuously raised these issues at both the federal and provincial levels. When the Prime Minister decided to provide relief to the public, the PPP welcomed the move. He said that, through consultation, all provinces agreed to support measures aimed at reducing inflation, including relief for motorcycle users. He added that the PPP has helped millions of farmers through the Benazir Kissan Card.
Clarifying the PPP’s stance on national issues, he said that the party stands with the government on every constitutional amendment and national matter. Referring to tensions with India, he said that during the war, he raised his voice on international media platforms in defense of the country as a patriot. After the conflict, the Prime Minister requested him to lead a peace committee. He added that during Iran-US tensions, the PPP fully supported the federal government. “As Pakistanis, we unite on such matters,” he said.
He further stated that economic difficulties appear to be increasing rather than decreasing, and the upcoming budget is likely to be challenging. He emphasized that the government would have to make relief-oriented decisions keeping economic hardships in mind.
Regarding NAB amendments, the PPP Chairman said that the party had clearly conveyed its position to the government that, historically, the PPP has wanted the abolition of the National Accountability Bureau. Due to the government’s compulsions, the PPP supported the new amendments, but if the government failed to fulfill its commitments to the PPP, the party could reconsider its decisions.
He said that the economic situation remains serious and that hardships are expected to increase further. Even if an Iran-US agreement is reached, difficulties would persist. He stressed that the government should prepare the budget while taking economic challenges into account. He announced that the PPP’s senior committee would present its budget proposals to the government. For this purpose, a four-member team comprising Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Saleem Mandviwalla, Sherry Rehman, and Naveed Qamar has been formed.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the Prime Minister and the Field Marshal are making efforts for peace and for ending Iran-US tensions. “We want the situation to return to normal, after which we will discuss the government’s performance and promises,” he said. He added that Pakistan’s foreign policy is moving in the right direction and is being shaped in the national interest. He noted that Pakistan and the PPP share decades-old ties with Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran. Relations with Saudi Arabia, he said, are entering a new phase and are being further strengthened through defense agreements.
Condemning attacks on Iran, he said that after Iran, the United Arab Emirates faced the highest number of missile attacks. “We condemn these attacks as well,” he said and added that he prays for the success of the Prime Minister and the Field Marshal in their peace efforts.
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