Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in his address to the National Assembly today, referred to the students seated in the galleries, stating that the future of the country is present in the Parliament today.

Chairman Bilawal said he reflected on what the youth might be thinking about the future of the country. He remarked that not many of them would aspire to become politicians. Being a member of the House is a matter of prestige and honour in any democratic country. Politics has become a curse, but it is the same politics that will bring employment to the youth, economic justice to the people, and govern the country. The country is currently facing multiple crises, but when today’s children grow up, it will lead the region.

Chairman Bilawal stressed that without establishing the supremacy of the Constitution, no institution can function. The representatives of the House must maintain a working relationship. If the government is constantly engaged in firefighting, and the Opposition continues to curse, make hue and cry, and act below the belt, they cannot fulfill their duty of holding the government accountable. If they claim the government’s economic or security policies are flawed, they must also propose solutions. Failure to fulfill their responsibilities means the Opposition will not achieve its own objectives. While it is expected for the Opposition to raise the matter of their imprisoned leaders, the more pressing issues for the people they govern include unemployment, inflation, education, health, and terrorism.

Chairman Bilawal highlighted that if the Chief Minister curses the media and opposition, and uses his own government to initiate vindictive actions against judges in the Anti-Terrorism Court, it does not address the issues of the people in the province. On the other hand, if the government’s primary focus is who to jail next, it may bring momentary satisfaction, but tomorrow we will all be trapped in the same cycle, he said.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari recalled that during Imran Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister, the PPP did not harbour any personal grudges against him. Their only concern was protecting the Constitution and democracy, for which his family and party had sacrificed, and to solve the problems of the people. He mentioned that this was the reason for the signing of the Charter of Democracy between Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. Previously, the Election Commissioner was appointed by the government, but their amendments allowed the Opposition Leader to play a role in the process, as is the case with the appointment of the interim government. This understanding stemmed from the realisation that both sides must work together for the country’s prosperity. Personal grievances, such as who jailed whom, must be set aside in favor of serving the people in Parliament.

Chairman Bilawal said the PPP contested elections to achieve economic justice for the people. He said that he also criticised the government where necessary. However, it is now time to evaluate the government’s performance on key issues. He pointed out that while the government’s target was to reduce inflation to 12 percent, the rate has already dropped to 9.6 percent, with the year yet to end.

While we have criticised the government’s economic policies, the House should commend the reduction in inflation, and now everyone must contribute their input, Chairman PPP said. He further said that from 2008 to 2013, the government operated with consensus, engaging with the same Opposition responsible for keeping his father in jail for over a decade. They developed a revolutionary, consensus-based document that strengthened all constitutional institutions. A lobby exists against this consensus, seeking to undermine it to create more space for anti-democratic forces. One such effort took shape under Iftikhar Chaudhary, and another involved intelligence officers backing a political party, pushing the political system to a point where even basic cooperation is elusive. This, Chairman Bilawal warned, is playing with the destinies of future generations.

Chairman Bilawal urged the Speaker to restore the functionality of the House, as a functional Parliament is essential for a functional country. He expressed disappointment regarding the resignation of a senior politician, particularly one who had played a significant role in the politics of Balochistan. “All it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing,” Chairman Bilawal expressed over Mr. Mengal’s decision to resign and emphasised the need for all members to take responsibility. He reminded the House that during the PDM government, he had advised against boycotting the assemblies. Now, both the Opposition and the country are suffering as a result.

Chairman Bilawal suggested the Speaker form a high-powered committee to help restore the functionality of the House. He reiterated that the responsibility of Parliament is not only to legislate but also to create a conducive environment. The cycle of political rallies against one another must end, and the focus should shift toward serving the people and safeguarding their rights.

President Asif Ali Zardari has assured the Chairperson of Abdul Qadeer Khan Hospital Trust, Dr. Dina Khan , of his support to the Trust that provides free medical and healthcare services to the deprived and marginalized section of the society. He commended the services of the Trust offering accessible healthcare to the needy people. 

The President expressed these views during a meeting with the delegation of Dr. A.Q. Khan Hospital Trust, led by Dr. Dina Khan, daughter of Mohsin-e-Pakistan Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan (Late), at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, MNA, was also present during the meeting. The meeting was also attended by the Trustees namely Mr. Habib-ur-Rehman, Raja Arshad Mehmood and Advisor Chaudhry Ghulam Yasir Abbas. 

Dr. Dina Khan briefed the President about the role of the hospital in the provision of medical services to the people. She also apprised the President about certain problems being faced by the Trust and highlighted that some former trustees had committed financial embezzlement and had misused the accounts of the Trust.

The President said that the entire nation was indebted to Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan for his services to the nation and that their issues would be resolved.

The President commended the working of A.Q. Khan Hospital Trust, and appreciated the generous donations by the people for the noble cause of providing much-needed free health services to the underprivileged.

President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the nation to follow Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s principles of “unity, faith and discipline” emphasising their significance as a beacon for the country’s development. “I am sure that by acting upon his (Quaid-e-Azam) teachings and advice, we can make Pakistan strong and prosperous,” the president said in his message to the nation on the occasion of the 76th death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah annually observed on September 11. Paying tribute to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the president said that the Pakistani nation was indebted to him for his efforts and contribution to the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent where they could live with dignity and exercise their political, cultural, and religious rights. Calling him a visionary leader, who united the Muslims of India under one banner, the president said the whole nation was proud of Quaid-e-Azam’s untiring struggle and unwavering commitment to the right to self-determination that shaped the destiny of millions of Muslims. “Quaid-e-Azam’s vision for Pakistan was fundamentally democratic as he firmly believed in a state where all citizens, irrespective of religion, would be equal before the law. Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s struggle not only laid the foundation of Pakistan’s democratic system but continues to influence our aspirations for parliamentary democracy and communal harmony,” he remarked. President Zardari said that Quaid-e-Azam successfully steered Indian Muslims through the complex political landscape of India while maintaining an unyielding stance on the rights of Muslims. He said that Jinnah had envisioned a Pakistan based on Islamic principles of democracy and socio-economic justice. “It was due to his sheer will, hard work and successful advocacy of the cause of Muslims that the partition of India became a reality. On this day, we not only honour his efforts but also recommit ourselves to the values and ideals that he championed,” the president added.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday strongly condemned the incident of firing targeting a police mobile van in Panjgur, which led to the killing of Sub-inspector Shakeel Ahmed. The president paid tribute to the martyred sub-inspector, praying for peace for the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to bear the loss, according to a President House press release. He also paid homage to Sub-inspector Shakeel for his sacrifice and commitment to duty.

Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), conducted a live E-Katcheri session today at BISP Headquarters. During the session, Senator Rubina Khalid directly interacted with beneficiaries via BISP’s official Facebook account, listening to their concerns and issuing immediate directives for the resolution of their complaints.

Over the course of the one-hour live session, 34 people from across the country called in. The callers asked questions related to their enrollment in the Benazir Income Support Programme, eligibility criteria, and stipend information for the Benazir Kafaalat, Taleemi Wazaif, and Nashonuma programmes. Senator Rubina Khalid addressed their queries in real time and instructed officers to resolve the issues on an urgent basis.

The Chairperson informed the callers that if, for any reason, a deserving woman is unable to withdraw her stipend on time, the amount is added to her next installment, which she can receive as a lump sum. Senator Rubina Khalid further explained that payments are currently being made under a new banking model to ensure the distribution of funds to deserving women in a dignified and transparent manner.

We celebrate the transformative power of education and literacy, the pillars of our nation’s future, on this International Literacy Day. This year’s theme, “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace,” underscores the critical role of literacy in fostering unity, cultural appreciation, and peaceful coexistence. As per Article 25A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, education is a fundamental human right and “the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years”. Today, we renew our commitment to making education accessible to all, regardless of circumstances.

Recognizing the urgent challenge of illiteracy, Pakistan has declared a National Educational Emergency, aiming to enrol out-of-school children and educate 70 million adults. Under the Prime Minister’s Roshan Pakistan Literacy Drive, the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) launched the “Each One Teach One” (EOTO) Program, which calls on every literate citizen to teach at least one illiterate person. 

In order to enhance literacy, the government is providing Conditional Cash Transfers up to the higher secondary level through Benazir Taleemi Wazaif for educating underprivileged children. Stipends up to Rs 4000 for boys and Rs 4500 for girls per quarter are being offered in all districts of Pakistan. Currently, 9.7 million children are enrolled under the programme. Furthermore, 102,000 scholarships have been given to students from low-income families to ensure that all qualified students have access to undergraduate education.

On this International Literacy Day, we need to recommit ourselves to the national cause of promoting the universal right to education. Together, we can ensure that every Pakistani has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to a more educated, inclusive, and prosperous nation. Each of us has a vital role in shaping the future of our beloved country. May our collective efforts bring about lasting peace, mutual understanding, and a brighter future for all.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday paid tribute to the security forces for a successful operation against Khawarij and foiled a terrorist attack on FC Headquarters in Mohmand. “Our security forces successfully eliminated all the four Khawarij involved in the attack,” the president said in a statement issued by the President’s House. He commended the security forces for eliminating all four terrorists involved in the attack. President Zardari praised the security forces’ effective and courageous action against the terrorists, saying that the entire nation was proud of its brave soldiers who were always ready to defend the motherland. He reiterated that terrorists will not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious designs.

The leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party called on Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday at Zardari House, Islamabad. 

Sindh minister for Planning, Development and Energy, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah met Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and apprised him of the measures taken by his ministry for the promotion of solar energy in Sindh. 

The Member of the National Assembly, Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur also had a meeting with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. They discussed the situation in Badin after the floods. Mr. Talpur informed the Chairman about the difficulties faced by the people due to torrential rain and the government’s efforts for the relief to the people. They also discussed the prevailing political situation in the country.

Former federal minister Naveed Qamar MNA called on Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and discussed political situation in the country. 

PPP leader Arbab Alamgir and the member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Arbab Zarak Khan Khalil also met Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. They discussed the political situation of Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, has stated that BISP is Pakistan’s largest social safety net. Founded by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and launched by President Asif Ali Zardari in 2008, the programme has played a vital role in giving recognition to the poor women of Pakistan. She emphasized that BISP is the key for economic empowerment of deserving women across the country. Senator Khalid shared these views during a media briefing held at the BISP headquarters.

Addressing misconceptions, Senator Khalid pointed out that there is a negative perception that BISP turns the poor into beggars, whereas similar social security programmes exist worldwide. She stressed that it is the state’s responsibility to support the poor. BISP provides essential financial assistance to deserving individuals to help them meet their basic needs.

Senator Khalid also announced the launch of the Benazir Skill Training Programme, aimed at providing skill development opportunities to deserving women and their family members. Consultations are underway with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to ensure training programs align with international standards and meet the demands of both local and global markets. This initiative is expected to improve the socio-economic conditions of beneficiaries, allowing more families to benefit from BISP.

Furthermore, she highlighted that, on the special directives of the President, Prime Minister, and Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, BISP is prioritizing support for the people of Balochistan. The poverty score threshold for inclusion in education and nutrition programs in the province has been raised from 32 to 60, allowing more families to benefit. A new banking model has also been introduced to address complaints regarding women not receiving the full amount under the Kafaalat programme. Under this model, the country has been divided into 15 clusters, with 6 banks assigned to ensure transparency. Senator Khalid warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty of deducting money or mistreating beneficiaries during fund distribution.

Earlier, Secretary BISP, Amer Ali Ahmad, briefed media representatives about the programme’s initiatives, stating that BISP is currently providing financial support to over 9.3 million families in a dignified manner. Under the Kafaalat programme, Rs. 10,500 is distributed to needy women quarterly. He added that 9.7 million children have been enrolled in schools through the Taleemi Wazaif initiative, and over 2 million mothers and children are benefiting from the Benazir Nashonuma programme.

The BISP Savings Scheme has also been launched, with 150,000 people currently participating in the pilot phase. Under this scheme, BISP will contribute an additional 40% of the savings accumulated by participants on a quarterly basis. To date, more than 7,000 women have been trained under BISP’s Digital and Financial Literacy programme. Additionally, 25 Mobile Registration Vans are currently operating in remote areas of Sindh and Balochistan, with plans to increase their number.

In collaboration with National Telecommunication, BISP has also launched an Integrated Call Center to provide accurate information and quickly address complaints from beneficiaries and the general public. Senator Khalid urged people to only trust messages or phone calls from BISP’s official number, 8171.

Secretary BISP concluded by announcing a comprehensive awareness campaign, supported by the media, to provide authentic information to the public and BISP beneficiaries. Following the briefing, both the Chairperson and Secretary responded to media questions and appreciated suggestions for improving the programme.

Her Excellency Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has reaffirmed her commitment to combating Tuberculosis (TB) in Pakistan and on the global stage. In a high-level meeting with the leadership of the Dopasi Foundation and a delegation of esteemed parliamentarians, led by Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, the discussion centered on addressing Pakistan’s TB burden and identifying solutions for closing persistent gaps in TB care, especially for underprivileged communities.

The delegation from the Dopasi Foundation, led by CEO Ms. Kinz-ul-Eman, included key figures such as Dr. Usman Rasool Lodhi, Program Manager; Dr. Tilal Asif, Director of Programs; Ms. Mishaal Javed, Manager of Communications; along with Dr. Syed Karam Shah, Senior Technical Advisor and head of the Stop TB Partnership Pakistan. Parliamentarians in attendance included Dr. Mehreen Bhutto, Ms. Sehar Kamran, Mr. Khursheed Junejo, and Ms. Musarat Rafique—prominent voices in the fight against TB.

The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on Pakistan’s progress since the United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB in 2023, while exploring new strategies to tackle ongoing challenges in TB notification and treatment.

In a landmark commitment, Ms. Bhutto Zardari announced her role as a champion for TB advocacy, pledging to lead national and international efforts.

“I am proud to lend my voice to the fight against TB. The fight against Tuberculosis is not just a health issue, but a matter of dignity and justice for the millions affected by this preventable disease. Together, we can create a future where no one is left behind, and every individual has access to the care and support they deserve,” said Ms. Bhutto Zardari.

During the meeting, she was briefed on the upcoming Regional Leaders’ Summit 2024 on TB and Climate Change and the TB Survivors Event, where she graciously accepted the role of chair for the Survivors Event. She vowed to advocate for the rights of TB survivors and push for equitable access to quality healthcare across all provinces.

Ms. Bhutto Zardari also praised the work of the End TB Parliamentary Caucus, led by Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, which is hosted by Dopasi Foundation in partnership with the Stop TB Partnership. The initiative promotes cross-provincial collaboration to strengthen TB advocacy. The First Lady urged broader participation from parliamentarians across the country to create a unified and strong response to TB.

Dopasi Foundation, a leading non-profit organization in Pakistan, continues to be at the forefront of TB control and related health interventions. Through its partnerships with the Ministry of Health and global stakeholders, the Foundation is making significant strides toward achieving Pakistan’s TB-related health targets, especially among marginalized populations.