Author: admin

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed a meeting of industrialists and business community of Punjab in Lahore on Tuesday Afternoon.
Chairman Bilawal said that he wants to speak about future of business community and how the Pakistan Peoples Party can help. He appreciated the efforts and research in the 165 districts in Pakistan of the business community to increase the opportunities of exports. He said that we also want to give our input and to implement your efforts. The PPP laid the foundation of China Pakistan Economic Corridor as its aim was to benefit Pakistan and its people. He said “It was a matter of pride for me to find out as the foreign minister that China specially accommodates Pakistan and wants to give preference to Pakistani goods for export but we are not taking the full advantage of that Chinese preference for Pakistani goods.” We need to get benefit of this favorable status and then we can ask them for more. China has provided this opportunity in every sector but we are not taking full benefit of these opportunities. We have to look for opportunities with this new tariff situation. We hope that the federal government must be working on those lines. We have GSP Plus with Europe and we have increased 80% export with this GSP Plus. Europe has also benefitted 60% in export to Pakistan with this GSP Plus. We can find economic opportunities district-wise, specially in value added goods.
He said that we can look for increase export in foreign market. We can also find Public-Private partnership district-wise. This will be an achievement for Pakistan if we work district-wise. As far as the President, Governor Punjab, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh government and Balochistan government and the Prime Minister are concerned, they all wants to work with you. There is a difference between Prime Minister’s and our teams is that they believes in centralization whereas we believe in de-centralization. Your district-wise plan will strengthen our argument. I want to strongly appreciate your district-wise research. Chairman PPP said that he is ready to consider the recommendations for economy of the business community.
Regarding the issue of taxes, he said that business community’s point of view is very valid. We all want to increase revenue of Pakistan, tax collection and tax net. We all have the same goal for economic progress and human development. We have different perspective regarding how to reach that goal. This and the previous government wanted to run the economy by force but I do not think that country’s economy can be run by force. We should run the economy with understanding. There is an English proverb that you can catch more with honey than vinegar. If we respect the tax contributing citizens instead of brow beat them to pay tax then we can get far better results. There is an example that before 18th amendment the collection of sales tax on services for federation was collected by the FBR and the record is for everyone to see that how much the FBR used to collect. After 18th amendment Sindh and other provinces started collecting these taxes for federation and we have broken the record for collecting these taxes. Every province has collected more than previously collected by the federation. This is an evidence of the benefit of de-centralization. The performance of Sindh province in collecting these taxes has been better than other provinces. The secret of this better performance is that Sindh has less sales tax on services in Sindh than other provinces so that business community desires to do business in our province. Our approach is to encourage the business community. We should make FBR an institution in which every province should have representation. People and business community should have confidence of FBR so that we can achieve our targets of tax collection. Tax should be a responsibility not a burden.
We request the federal government that if it needs to overcome economic difficulties then the solution is there. At the moment, the FBR also collects sales tax on goods for the federation. This responsibility may also be given to the provinces. If the provinces meet your target then we are ready to give all these collections to the federation. If the provinces do not meet the targets then the federation may deduct that amount from our share in the kitty on a condition that if we collect more than the target then that money is given to the province which collects that extra amount. In this way the provinces will have an incentive.
The power issue has been a chronic problem in Pakistan. We can look for solutions to overcome this issue. We need to study the proposal presented by the business community of Punjab in this regard. The manifesto of the PPP for the last elections wanted to give relief to the people using up to 200 units. We can still subsidize the people using less than 200 units. We need to change our concept of relief. Instead of cross-subsidizing the rest of the population, in the short term we seek to provide through green energy to people using less than 200 units. We have tried our best and the PPP has provided power through Thar Coal Project of the Sindh government which is the cheapest energy generation project. Thar Coal Project is a Public Private Partnership project, provided energy to Faisalabad. This project was initially not for Karachi. The provincial governments can stablish energy generation plants for 50 megawatts. We had two plants of 50 megawatts which is supplying the cheapest electricity to K-Electric through our own built transmission line. Chairman Bilawal offered business community of Punjab to get coal from Sindh.
One of notable achievement of the Sindh government has been the Public Private Partnership which is performing great in sectors like infrastructure, education, health and energy. This improves service delivery of Sindh government. We hope that as a result of your district-wise research we can take this Public Private Partnership to district level. We can get great results by this Public Private Partnership. Special Economic Zone of Khairpur in Sindh has been recognized by a magazine of Financial Times. We have other Economic Zones as well in Larkana, Dhabeji and others. We need to de-centralize these economic zones, he concluded.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed a meeting of industrialists and business community of Punjab in Lahore on Tuesday Afternoon.
Chairman Bilawal said that he wants to speak about future of business community and how the Pakistan Peoples Party can help. He appreciated the efforts and research in the 165 districts in Pakistan of the business community to increase the opportunities of exports. He said that we also want to give our input and to implement your efforts. The PPP laid the foundation of China Pakistan Economic Corridor as its aim was to benefit Pakistan and its people. He said “It was a matter of pride for me to find out as the foreign minister that China specially accommodates Pakistan and wants to give preference to Pakistani goods for export but we are not taking the full advantage of that Chinese preference for Pakistani goods.” We need to get benefit of this favorable status and then we can ask them for more. China has provided this opportunity in every sector but we are not taking full benefit of these opportunities. We have to look for opportunities with this new tariff situation. We hope that the federal government must be working on those lines. We have GSP Plus with Europe and we have increased 80% export with this GSP Plus. Europe has also benefitted 60% in export to Pakistan with this GSP Plus. We can find economic opportunities district-wise, specially in value added goods.
He said that we can look for increase export in foreign market. We can also find Public-Private partnership district-wise. This will be an achievement for Pakistan if we work district-wise. As far as the President, Governor Punjab, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh government and Balochistan government and the Prime Minister are concerned, they all wants to work with you. There is a difference between Prime Minister’s and our teams is that they believes in centralization whereas we believe in de-centralization. Your district-wise plan will strengthen our argument. I want to strongly appreciate your district-wise research. Chairman PPP said that he is ready to consider the recommendations for economy of the business community.
Regarding the issue of taxes, he said that business community’s point of view is very valid. We all want to increase revenue of Pakistan, tax collection and tax net. We all have the same goal for economic progress and human development. We have different perspective regarding how to reach that goal. This and the previous government wanted to run the economy by force but I do not think that country’s economy can be run by force. We should run the economy with understanding. There is an English proverb that you can catch more with honey than vinegar. If we respect the tax contributing citizens instead of brow beat them to pay tax then we can get far better results. There is an example that before 18th amendment the collection of sales tax on services for federation was collected by the FBR and the record is for everyone to see that how much the FBR used to collect. After 18th amendment Sindh and other provinces started collecting these taxes for federation and we have broken the record for collecting these taxes. Every province has collected more than previously collected by the federation. This is an evidence of the benefit of de-centralization. The performance of Sindh province in collecting these taxes has been better than other provinces. The secret of this better performance is that Sindh has less sales tax on services in Sindh than other provinces so that business community desires to do business in our province. Our approach is to encourage the business community. We should make FBR an institution in which every province should have representation. People and business community should have confidence of FBR so that we can achieve our targets of tax collection. Tax should be a responsibility not a burden.
We request the federal government that if it needs to overcome economic difficulties then the solution is there. At the moment, the FBR also collects sales tax on goods for the federation. This responsibility may also be given to the provinces. If the provinces meet your target then we are ready to give all these collections to the federation. If the provinces do not meet the targets then the federation may deduct that amount from our share in the kitty on a condition that if we collect more than the target then that money is given to the province which collects that extra amount. In this way the provinces will have an incentive.
The power issue has been a chronic problem in Pakistan. We can look for solutions to overcome this issue. We need to study the proposal presented by the business community of Punjab in this regard. The manifesto of the PPP for the last elections wanted to give relief to the people using up to 200 units. We can still subsidize the people using less than 200 units. We need to change our concept of relief. Instead of cross-subsidizing the rest of the population, in the short term we seek to provide through green energy to people using less than 200 units. We have tried our best and the PPP has provided power through Thar Coal Project of the Sindh government which is the cheapest energy generation project. Thar Coal Project is a Public Private Partnership project, provided energy to Faisalabad. This project was initially not for Karachi. The provincial governments can stablish energy generation plants for 50 megawatts. We had two plants of 50 megawatts which is supplying the cheapest electricity to K-Electric through our own built transmission line. Chairman Bilawal offered business community of Punjab to get coal from Sindh.
One of notable achievement of the Sindh government has been the Public Private Partnership which is performing great in sectors like infrastructure, education, health and energy. This improves service delivery of Sindh government. We hope that as a result of your district-wise research we can take this Public Private Partnership to district level. We can get great results by this Public Private Partnership. Special Economic Zone of Khairpur in Sindh has been recognized by a magazine of Financial Times. We have other Economic Zones as well in Larkana, Dhabeji and others. We need to de-centralize these economic zones, he concluded.

As we mark the 40th anniversary of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC), I extend greetings to the peoples and governments of our region.

SAARC began in Dhaka in December 1985 with a simple understanding that South Asia’s future would be more secure and more prosperous if its nations worked together. Islamabad has played its part in advancing that vision, hosting the 4th Summit under Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto during her first tenure and later the 12th Summit.

The 19th Summit was to be held in Islamabad in 2016, in line with Pakistan’s turn to host, but India’s refusal to attend halted the process and for the past 11 years SAARC has remained stalled. With disputes across nearly all its borders, India’s approach has become the central impediment to meaningful regional cooperation, leaving the region’s peace and progress unnecessarily captive to its narrow choices.

This impasse has led several member states to reflect on whether South Asia can afford continued paralysis. There is now growing interest in exploring a revived regional format that keeps the door open for all, yet does not allow one country to block collective progress. Important regional countries like Iran and China, can also be made part of the revival plan. Their participation would strengthen connectivity, economic integration and stability across the wider neighbourhood.

Pakistan remains committed to a cooperative, inclusive and forward-looking regional order. Our geography places us at the meeting point of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. We are ready to work with all willing states to promote trade, transit, energy linkages and people-to-people ties that benefit the entire region.

On this Charter Day, I encourage South Asian nations to approach the future with clarity and sincerity. The region’s challenges are shared and so must be the solutions. With a spirit of respect and practical cooperation, we can shape a more peaceful and prosperous South Asia for our future generations.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari graced the opening ceremony of National Games 2025 in Karachi as the chief guest, hosted by the Government of Sindh, and expressed his delight at the return of this prestigious sporting event to the city after 18 years.

According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, while addressing the opening ceremony of the 35th National Games, warmly welcomed the young athletes and delegations from Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Balochistan to Karachi, saying, “Welcome to Karachi.” He said that after 18 years, the city is once again hosting the National Games and hoped that the event would mark the “beginning of a positive and inspiring environment” for young athletes from Sindh and across the country.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed his joy at the impressive turnout of youth at the ceremony held at the National Stadium Karachi, emphasizing that the young people of Pakistan are the nation’s future and will lead the way in every field, including sports. “These children sitting before me today will, in the years to come, win medals for Pakistan at major international sporting events. You are our future Olympic champions,” he said.

The event was also attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sardar Muhammad Bux Mahar, along with other government, political, and social dignitaries.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan, and personally, I extend my heartfelt felicitations and best wishes to Your Excellency and the people of the Republic of Finland on the auspicious occasion of the 108th Independence Day of Finland.

Since its independence, Finland has made remarkable progress in education, technology, innovation, research, biotechnology, forestry and several other sectors. The country’s consistent top ranking on the Global Happiness Index for eight consecutive years stands as an indicator of the extraordinary talent, resilience and creativity of the Finnish people.

Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with the Republic of Finland. We share convergence of views on major international issues and uphold common values of democratic pluralism and economic liberalism.

There exists immense potential for cooperation, particularly in the fields of business, education, green transition, digitalisation, mining and telecommunications.

Pakistan remains committed to working closely with the Republic of Finland for the promotion of political, commercial and people-to-people linkages. It is our sincere desire that the friendly relations between our two countries continue to grow from strength to strength in the years ahead.

At this difficult time, I wish to express Pakistan’s deepest sympathy and solidarity with the Government and people of the Kingdom of Thailand in the wake of the recent devastating floods in the southern provinces. The tragic loss of life and the impact on over one million households is a stark reminder of the urgent need for regional and global cooperation to confront the challenges of climate change, which is affecting South and South East Asia more severely than many other parts of the world. Pakistan, too, is experiencing the increasing consequences of climate change and stands ready to work with Thailand and the wider region to enhance resilience and preparedness.

I extend my sincere felicitations to the Government and people of Thailand on their National Day. Pakistan and Thailand have enjoyed a warm friendship for many decades, built on mutual respect and shared interests.

Pakistan values its longstanding ties with Thailand and remains committed to deepening cooperation in areas that serve our mutual interests. Our engagement at regional and international fora reflects a shared understanding on many issues.

We appreciate Thailand’s efforts to promote peace, development and regional stability. Pakistan values its constructive role in encouraging dialogue, economic links and people-to-people contact. We will continue to support initiatives that advance regional harmony and collective well-being.

As Thailand celebrates its National Day, the people of Pakistan join the Thai nation in wishing lasting peace, prosperity and progress. Pakistan looks forward to working more closely with Thailand to build a future shaped by shared priorities and steady friendship.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has paid tribute to persons with disabilities on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, urging the nation to move from sympathy to concrete inclusion.

According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP said that dignity, opportunity and participation are fundamental rights. “Persons with disabilities are sources of strength and resilience. Our progress depends on removing the barriers that limit their ability to learn, work and participate,” he added.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed the PPP’s commitment to building an inclusive Pakistan where public spaces, schools, workplaces and essential services are fully accessible, where assistive technologies and healthcare are prioritised, where laws protecting equal rights are implemented in letter and spirit, and where persons with disabilities are included at every stage of decision-making. “Inclusion is not charity; it is justice. A Pakistan where no one is left behind is a stronger and more humane Pakistan,” he concluded.

On the 58th Foundation Day of the Pakistan Peoples Party, we pay tribute to our Founder Chairman, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, whose vision, courage and sacrifices strengthened Pakistan’s democratic foundations and inspired generations.

Throughout its history, the PPP has risen to meet the central challenges of its time. When Pakistan faced authoritarian rule, the PPP stood firm as the party of democratic resistance and led the struggle for the restoration of people’s rights. The Party has consistently worked to stabilise the democratic system, foster unity and keep the political process on track.

It was under the leadership of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that Pakistan received its first consensus Constitution in 1973, a national covenant that continues to guide our democracy. The PPP also takes pride in its role in strengthening the federation, initiating reforms in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, laying the foundations of the country’s nuclear programme and advancing landmark reforms in land rights, labour protections, education and social justice.

From the MRD and ARD movements to the Charter of Democracy, the Eighteenth Amendment and the National Action Plan, the PPP has remained central to Pakistan’s democratic evolution.

Since its inception, the PPP has been the voice of workers, peasants, women, minorities and all marginalised communities. Their inclusion and empowerment have shaped our political direction and remain at the heart of our mission.

On the occasion of the 58th Youm-e-Tasees of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the party’s Vice President, Senator Sherry Rehman, reiterated the PPP’s steadfast dedication to democracy, justice, and the empowerment of the people of Pakistan.

“This Youm-e-Tasees signifies not only the founding of the PPP but also the beginning of a historic struggle for democratic restoration and the protection of the rights of every citizen. On this momentous day, we pay homage to our visionary founder, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, whose leadership uplifted the unheard and offered hope to the marginalized. His decision to establish the PPP on November 30, 1967, marked a pivotal moment in our national history, and his ideals continue to guide our political outlook,” Senator Rehman said.

She reiterated “The PPP introduced the 1973 Constitution, which remains the cornerstone of our federal structure. Our party laid the foundation of the nuclear program, carried out landmark agricultural reforms, established an independent foreign policy, and pioneered missile technology. Initiatives such as the Benazir Income Support Program and our contributions to CPEC reflect PPP’s commitment to the people and the nation.”

She also paid tribute to the sacrifices of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, whose leadership preserved and advanced her father’s mission while reinforcing Pakistan’s democratic pillars.
“ Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto faced terrorism courageously and, like her father Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, embraced martyrdom. Her struggle for democracy, human rights, and gender equality continues to inspire generations. Her bravery and foresight are central to the PPP’s identity and its enduring mission to serve the people,” she added.

Under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Senator Rehman noted, the PPP remains fully committed to realizing the vision of its founding chairman. “Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has led the party with resolve, ensuring that the PPP remains a symbol of hope and an engine for progress, even in the face of extraordinary challenges. His leadership reflects our enduring commitment to building a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous Pakistan,” she stated.

Emphasizing the significance of Youm-e-Tasees, Senator Sherry Rehman said, “Today, we honour our proud legacy while renewing our commitment to continue the struggle for a Pakistan rooted in democracy, equality, and justice. The PPP has always stood by the people and will carry on fighting for their rights, dignity, and development.”

he Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in Karachi, H.E. Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi, called on First Lady, Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, at Bilawal House today.

He extended a formal invitation to the First Lady to join the event taking place on the occasion of the UAE National Day, marked each year on 2nd December.

The First Lady thanked the Consul General for the invitation and reaffirmed the value Pakistan attaches to its relations with the country.

A full spectrum of relations between both countries, specially women empowerment, education, healthcare and rights of children were discussed in the meeting.

Mayor of Karachi, Mr Murtaza Wahab, was present during the meeting.