Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of lives and property caused by the ongoing monsoon rains in various parts of the country.

According to a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP highlighted that the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has suffered the most significant loss of life, with ten fatalities reported in Kohat district alone. He noted that due to severe weather and lack of communication facilities, many incidents in remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain unreported. He expressed regret that rain victims in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are left helpless, with no visible government assistance.

Addressing the situation in Punjab, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed hope that the provincial government will ensure timely and indiscriminate assistance to those affected by the rains.

He directed all PPP members of the assemblies to remain present in their constituencies during the rains. In Sindh and Balochistan, ministers, assembly members, and local government representatives have already been instructed to oversee relief efforts and ensure that no affected individual is deprived of government aid.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized the need for Jiyalas (PPP workers) to step forward and assist the needy and victims in the rain-affected areas. He urged them to mobilize and actively help those in distress.

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for finding a win-win solution to address the issue of rising energy costs in the country. He proposed that the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) should form a committee and work with the President’s office to develop a viable solution to the issue of paying capacity charges to Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

The President gave these remarks while talking to a delegation of FPCCI comprising of businessmen and office-bearers of 40 regional business associations, led by Dr Gohar Ejaz, at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.

Talking to the delegation, the President announced that the President’s office would collaborate with a smaller committee from the business community to find a win-win solution for the Government, the people, the business community and IPPs. He urged the for evolving a consensus solution so that none of stakeholders lose out. He said that he was aware of the problems being faced by Pakistani businesses, that were in a “triple-whammy” due to high input, energy, and fuel costs.

Dr Gohar Ejaz highlighted that rising energy costs were overburdening the people, industry, agriculture and exports sector. He emphasised the need for reforming the energy sector to bring down energy prices.

Dr Gohar Ejaz requested the President to intervene in the matter and play his role in resolving the issues faced by Pakistan’s industries and businesses due to high electricity prices.

The President assured the delegation of his support in coming up with a solution to their problems and taking up the matter with relevant quarters.

Former Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto is among the world leaders who featured in a unique book highlighting Singapore’s tradition of naming the new orchid hybrids after the visiting foreign dignitaries. Written by renowned author and editor Koh Buck Song and launched by Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, the book showcases the intricate process of hybridization of orchid, the national flower of Singapore. The first-of-its-kind book highlights ‘Dendrobium’, which was named after former Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto who had paid an official visit to Singapore from March 7-9, 1995.

“This orchid’s yellow colour, with its association with sunlight, represents warmth and happiness in Pakistani culture,”

it says. The book gives a historical account of her visit when she spoke at a lunch hosted by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, and met overseas Pakistanis at a dinner reception. She also delivered a keynote address at the Fortune Global Forum, where she said that, with the end of the Cold War, “the most critical elements of the integration of the world community, as we approach the new millennium, are information and business”.

 “Around the world, Ms Bhutto was seen as a symbol of democracy and empowerment of women”, the book says and recalls her as the first democratically elected female leader of a Muslim country for her first term, and in second term, one of three female prime ministers in the Muslim world, alongside those of Bangladesh and Turkiye. The book also mentions that after her assassination in 2007, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote a letter to her husband, now President Asif Ali Zardari, noting that she would be honoured and remembered for her “indomitable spirit” and “ultimate sacrifice”. During his address at the book launch, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan said that the orchid diplomatic practice dated back to 1956. Since then, over 280 orchid hybrids have been named after foreign dignitaries and international organizations as gestures of goodwill and friendship.

He has urged the provincial government to provide immediate and non-discriminatory financial assistance to the affected individuals and families.

In a statement issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted the severe impact of the rains on various districts including Mansehra, Kohat, Bajaur, Chitral Upper and Lower, Dir Upper, Swat, and Swabi. He noted that the situation in these areas is critical, with significant damage and distress among the residents.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives, particularly in Shabqadar and other affected areas. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families mourning the loss of their loved ones, including the heartbreaking incident where 11 members of a single family perished in Kohat.

He urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to conduct a comprehensive survey of the damages due the rains and to ensure that financial assistance reaches the victims promptly and without discrimination. He emphasized the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent landslides and other accidents during the monsoon season. Additionally, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stressed the need for providing safety and necessary facilities to the thousands of tourists stranded in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

He also issued instructions to Jiyalas (PPP workers) in the region to actively assist and support the rain-affected individuals and communities. He emphasized that the PPP stands in solidarity with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during this challenging time and is committed to ensuring swift and effective relief efforts.

The General Secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party Human Rights Cell, Malaika Raza on the instructions of the Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the women and juvenile jail in Karachi to assess the facilities provided for the rehabilitation of women and children in the prison.

During her visit, Ms. Raza was briefed by the Women Jail Superintendent Ms. Humaira about the various programs and services available for the inmates.

The Sindh government has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at improving the lives of women and children in the jail, including adult literacy programs, art classes, Computer skill training for women, and fitness training for juveniles. Malaika Raza praised the efforts of the Sindh government, stating that the prison reforms established in Sindh are among the best in the country, providing women and children with essential facilities and opportunities for rehabilitation.

Chairman Bilawal Butto Zardari has directed the government to ensure the provision of the best possible facilities and programs to support the rehabilitation of women and children in jail. The PPP Human Rights Cell is actively engaging in visits to women’s jails across the country to ensure that all inmates are treated equally and in accordance with the law.

Ms. Raza emphasised the importance of fair treatment for women in the criminal justice system and reiterated the commitment of the PPP Human Rights Cell to advocate for the rights of women and children in prison. The Cell will continue its visits to women’s jails nationwide to monitor and ensure that women are treated fairly and with dignity.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has taken notice of reported kidnapping of three Pakistanis in Myanmar and urged the concerned authorities to take measures for their recovery and repatriation. 

In a statement issued from Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP Chairman stressed that Foreign Office should utilize diplomat channels to locate and recover 3 boys namely Kashif Hussain, Faraz Khan and Shehroz Khan of Hyderabad, who travelled to Thailand from where they were allegedly   take to Myanmar and held hostage.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed sympathy with the loved ones of these boys and assured PPP will raise voice at all relevant forums for the recovery of these boys.

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for further expanding bilateral ties with Turkmenistan in all fields of mutual interest. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to its relations with Turkmenistan, saying that Pakistan-Turkmenistan relations were based on a common vision for peace and prosperity in the region. He added that the exchange of high-level visits between the two countries signified the mutual desire to further strengthen bilateral understanding and cooperation.

The President expressed these views while talking to the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, on Monday.

Welcoming the Minister, the President urged the need to enhance connectivity and communication between Pakistan and Turkmenistan, saying that Gwadar port offered great opportunities for promoting regional trade and Turkmenistan should benefit from the port.

The President stressed the need for continued exchanges and dialogue at all levels and enhanced trade, economic, investment and cultural relations for the prosperity of the two countries. He offered that Turkmen students could seek education from the medical institutions of Pakistan. The President noted the importance of the Third Round of Bilateral Political Consultations held today by the two Foreign Ministers.

The Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan said that Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoyed cordial relations. He stated that his country would continue to promote economic, cultural and educational cooperation with Pakistan. He highlighted the importance of constructing motorways and railways, through Afghanistan, to connect the two brotherly countries.

Foreign Minister Meredov conveyed the greetings of the leadership of Turkmenistan to the President.

The President reciprocated the sentiment and said that he was looking forward to welcoming the Grand Leader of Turkmenistan H.E Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for devising a comprehensive plan on a priority basis to prevent urban flooding in Karachi. He said that the Government of Sindh should adopt a sustainable and long-term strategy, based on international best practices, for effectively managing sewage and stormwater to save the Metropolitan City from urban flooding.

The President expressed these while chairing a meeting on saving Karachi from urban flooding and environmental degradation and promoting sustainable water resource development, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Adjutant General Lt General Muhammad Asim Malik, Minister for Local Government Department of Sindh, Mr Saeed Ghani, Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Sindh, Syed Asif Hyder Shah, CEO Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, Syed Salahuddin, Country Head Herrenknetch Pakistan, Col (r) Danyal Naveed Ahmed, senior government officials, and local and international water management experts attended the meeting.

The President was given a comprehensive presentation by international water and sewage management experts and proposed various solutions to address the challenges of urban flooding and sewage in Karachi on the pattern of the tunnel sewer systems of Washington DC, the London Super Sewer Project, and the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System of Singapore.

During the briefing, it was proposed that a network of small and large sewer tunnels under existing roads in high-flood zones of Karachi may be developed.  It was highlighted that underground tunnelling using modern techniques would not disturb the public, city traffic and land ownership. The experts informed that Karachi generated almost 450 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage. They added that sewage and stormwater were collected in small and large open drains which fell into the Lyari and Malir rivers and were released untreated into the sea, polluting the marine ecosystem. It was further informed that the existing network of drains had limited capacity and absorbed around 50% of the rainwater under normal circumstances. The meeting was told that excess water was not absorbed by the system, causing urban flooding.

Speaking on the occasion, the President underlined the need for completing the feasibility study to control flooding in Karachi through tunnelling options within three months. He stated that Karachi and its coastal areas need to be made clean and brought at par with other Metropolitan cities of the world. He said that since the proposed project would have significant environmental impacts, therefore, Government of Sindh should approach international donors to seek environmental financing for the project. He said that the construction of the wastewater treatment system would also help supply treated water to Balochistan for agriculture, besides promoting the fisheries sector.

The President remarked that the city of Hyderabad was also facing urban flooding and sewage issues that also needed to be addressed on priority.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has paid glowing tributes to Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto on his 39th martyrdom anniversary.

In a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP emphasized the enduring legacy of Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto, highlighting his revolutionary thoughts and unwavering struggle for democracy. He added that Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto’s legacy is a beacon of light. “Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto’s martyrdom day reminds us of the numerous sacrifices the Bhutto family has made for democracy in Pakistan,” he said.

He reiterated PPP’s commitment to the ideals Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto championed, affirming that the party will continue to strive for a robust democracy, equality, and a progressive society. “The dream of Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto was to see the establishment of a democratic, prosperous, and egalitarian society, and PPP remains dedicated to making this dream a reality,” he said.

This day serves as a reminder for all of us to uphold the principles of truth, justice, and righteousness, even in the face of adversity.

According to a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, in his message on the Youm-e-Ashura, said that the sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions are a beacon of light for all of humanity, adding that their struggle against oppression and their commitment to uphold the values of Islam inspire us to continue our fight for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called for unity among the Muslim Ummah and urged all communities to promote peace and harmony. He stressed the importance of rejecting violence and extremism, and instead, embracing the true spirit of Islam which teaches love, tolerance, and brotherhood.

In conclusion, the Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari prayed for the peace, stability, and prosperity of Pakistan. He expressed hope that the lessons of Karbala will guide us in creating a just and equitable society, where the principles of Imam Hussain (AS) are upheld and cherished.