President Asif Ali Zardari has urged all the stakeholders to exercise restraint and resolve the issues in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) through dialogue and mutual consultation. He added that the political parties, state institutions and the people of AJK should act responsibly so that hostile elements could not exploit the situation to their benefit. 

The President expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of members of the AJK Legislative Assembly belonging to Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr today. 

The delegation briefed the President about recent happenings and unfortunate developments in AJK. 

Talking to members of the AJK Legislative Assembly, the President highlighted that the demands of the people of AJK should be addressed as per law. He said that he would take up/discuss the grievances of the people of AJK with the Prime Minister of Pakistan to find a way out of the current situation.  

The President emphasized that priority should be accorded to the socio-economic uplift of AJK, with special focus on the development of health, education, tourism and infrastructure. He underlined the need to bring the far-flung areas at par with other developed areas of the country.

The President regretted the current situation and offered condolences over the unfortunate death of the police officer and prayed for swift recovery of all those who were injured in recent clashes.

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Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed a seminar on the topic of “Bhutto Reference and History” organised by the Peoples Information Bureau, PPP Central Punjab at Al-Hamra Hall in Lahore on Sunday. 

Chairman PPP said that the judicial verdict by the Supreme Court in Bhutto reference was the result of long and hard struggle of the workers of the party and 30 years long similar struggle of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. This reference was sent to the Supreme Court by President Asif Ali Zardari to get justice for Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The court heard the case and came to conclusion that justice was not done to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the trial against him was not just. We consider this decision as historic and now when the court itself has admitted that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s punishment was wrong, we should carry out judicial reforms. The judiciary can also bring its own reforms but this is primarily the function of parliament.  

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that we had agreed on judicial reforms in the Charter of Democracy. The 90% CoD have been implemented but only 10% remain. We had to do these reforms including establishing a constitutional court and the procedure for appointment of judges. The PPP will try to bring these reforms so that the judiciary is strengthened and people are provided justice and injustice meted out to Quaid-e-Awam is not repeated. 

Chairman Bilawal said that at the moment we have politics of hatred in our society. Politics has been changed to personal enmity. We in our society do not respect the difference of opinion. Despite all this the PPP always believes in political negotiations and reconciliation. The 1973 constitution was the result of consensus. The 18 amendment in the constitution was done with consensus at the time of Asif Ali Zardari as President. We did all this by taking every political force in the parliament on board. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the people are troubled by price-hike, unemployment and poverty. In addition to these, terrorism is also an issue for the country and the people. If politicians do not talk to each other, how these issues could be resolved. President Zardari gave a message of reconciliation in his address to the joint Parliament but it was unfortunate that the people who do not want reconciliation made hue and cry. This behaviour was not appropriate in the Parliament. Chair PPP said that our Party’s training was conducted by the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Our character should match their training and we should represent those great leaders. 

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that during the recent general elections, the PPP had an ideology, a manifesto and a campaign. We had our 10-point manifesto. The PPP has the solution of the issues of the people. Now after the elections, every government whether the federal government or the provincial governments are implementing the points of our manifesto. In his inaugural speech the Prime Minister accepted that the ministries which are still with the federal governments have to be devolved. The PPP manifesto had given the idea of solar energy and now Punjab province is adopting that point of our manifesto and we should welcome this. When we announced to give ‘Kissan Card’ during election campaign, we were criticised but now Punjab government will distribute the Kissan Card among farmers. He said that if half of our manifesto is implemented, the people will get big relief. The PPP will show that we will play a positive role and we will solve people’s issues. This positive role and politics will take the country forward, Chairman Bilawal concluded.

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In a press release from Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP expressed profound sorrow and anguish at the loss of 7 brave jawans in these despicable attacks. He emphasized that the young souls who laid down their lives in defense of peace and the nation are the epitome of selflessness and valor.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reiterated his unwavering resolve to hold the perpetrators accountable for every drop of the martyrs’ blood. The naion stands firm in its commitment to thwart the nefarious agendas of our enemies by eradicating terrorism from our soil.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari extended his heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the families of the fallen heroes. He prayed for the swift recovery of the injured personnel, reaffirming the nation’s indebtedness to their sacrifice.

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Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the May 12 carnage is a day stained with sorrow, yet one that serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of political strife and violence.

In a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP expressed his heartfelt condolences and paid homage to the Jiyalas, the dedicated workers of PPP, as well as activists from other parties, who either lost their lives or suffered during the tragic events of May 12, 2007. He emphasized their unwavering commitment to democratic ideals and their tireless efforts to advocate for a truly democratic Pakistan, which will be remembered forever.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted the critical importance of learning from past tragedies. He underscored that the pursuit of politics driven by stubbornness, ego, and violence only led to further division and suffering. He noted that history duly accounted for all those involved in such actions, serving as a cautionary tale for future generations.

Furthermore, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called upon all political stakeholders to unite with the spirit of harmony and reconciliation. He stressed the imperative of burying the politics of hatred, division, and violence, and instead, embracing a path that led towards a brighter and more prosperous Pakistan. “As we commemorate this solemn anniversary, let us honor the memory of those who sacrificed their lives on May 12, 2007, by renewing our commitment to building a nation founded on principles of peace, tolerance, and democracy,” he concluded.

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President Asif Ali Zardari has underlined the need for global efforts to address the challenge of climate change by adopting environment-friendly technology, promoting a forestation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He highlighted that global warming and climate change were affecting the glaciers as well as causing water scarcity and tackling these challenges required global support to mitigate their adverse impacts.

The President expressed these views while talking to the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan/COP 29 President-designate, Mr. Mukhtar Babayev, who along with his delegation called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. Azerbaijan is going to host the 29th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 29) in Baku in November 2024 and the Minister, in his capacity as the President-designate of COP 29, is here to invite the President to the Conference.

Welcoming the Minister, the President congratulated Azerbaijan on winning the bid to host COP 29 and expressed the hope that COP 29 would result in setting the New Collective Quantified Goal on Finance that would help developing countries fulfill their climate finance needs. He highlighted that Pakistan had planted mangrove forests over hundreds of thousands of hectares that would help protect the environment, besides earning carbon credits for Pakistan.

The President said that Pakistan highly valued its relations with Azerbaijan and wanted to further expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of common interest. He called for promoting more interactions, bilateral exchanges and people-to-people contacts to further cement relations between the two brotherly countries.

Mr. Mukhtar Babayev underlined the need for further enhancing bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, particularly in the area of tourism and culture. He also delivered the invitation to the President to participate in COP 29 in Baku in November 2024.

The President conveyed his best wishes for the successful hosting of COP 29 and expressed the hope that Azerbaijan would play its role to secure the interest of developing countries in meeting their financing needs for climate adaptation.

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Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov met with Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the President House, Islamabad  today. 

The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Transport, Honorary Consul, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan and others were included in the delegation of Uzbekistan. 

Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sherry Rehman, Salim Mandviwala and Naveed Qamar accompanied Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. 

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan discussed further stability in bilateral relations as well as issues of mutual interest.

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Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has condemned May 9 as yet another dark chapter in the nation’s history. He urged that justice must prevail for the perpetrators who attacked Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s residence, Jinnah House, and military installations, adding that the violence on May 9 was a malevolent scheme aimed at sowing chaos and enforcing fascism in the country.

According to the press release from the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, in his message, said that the instigator behind the strongly condemnable events of May 9 is well-known to everyone. He emphasized that Pakistan cannot afford to ignore the violence that perpetuated on May 9. He further said that such actions have no precedence in Pakistan’s political history, adding that leaking classified documents and attacking military installations is not politics; it’s anti-national. 

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that his party, the PPP, supports the demand for a judicial inquiry, overseen by the Chief Justice, is imperative for investigating the events of May 9. However, he emphasized that for this to occur, all parties, including the PTI, must commit to accepting whatever decision the judicial commission arrives at.

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The Pakistan Peoples Party’s nominee for the post of the Governor of Punjab, Sardar Saleem Haider while expressing his thoughts in an informal conversation with the media at Punjab House, Islamabad said that he is grateful to President Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Adi Faryal Talpur for trusting him and nominating him.

Sardar Saleem said that he began politics with the PPP, and would remain with it till the end. He further said that he would like to play a role in bridge-building between PML-N and PPP. Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz is a sister to me, Sardar Saleem Haider said.

The country is facing a plethora of difficulties. All my efforts are dedicated to playing an effective role in solving the problems plaguing Punjab, he said.

Sardar Saleem said that the doors of the Governor House would not only be accessible to the PPP workers but also to the entire population of Punjab. It is our right to take political space in Punjab, he expressed. The country cannot move forward without political stability, Governor Punjab nominee Sardar Saleem Haider said.

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In a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, in his message, emphasized the invaluable contributions of Syed Qamar Abbas Shaheed and Shaheed Zahir Shah to the party, declaring that their sacrifices will forever be etched in the annals of party’s history. He lauded their unshakable commitment to the party’s ideals, noting how they proudly waved the PPP flag until their last breaths, with Syed Qamar Abbas Shaheed in Peshawar and Shaheed Zahir Shah in Dir Lower.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari earnestly appealed to all party office-bearers and workers to observe a moment of remembrance and offer prayers for the eternal peace of their departed comrades today. He concluded with a prayer, beseeching Allah Almighty to bestow upon Syed Qamar Abbas Shaheed and Shaheed Zahir Shah the highest ranks in Jannah.

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Shaheed Abdul Razzaque Jharna was executed during dictatorship of Zia on May 07, 1984 in Lahore. He entered the gallows with a defiant dance, courageously placing the noose around his neck while chanting ‘Jeay Bhutto’

According to the press release issued by Media Cell Bilawal House, Charman PPP, in his message, said that in the face of tyranny and oppression, Shaheed Jharna exemplified the true essence of the PPP – a movement rooted in the principles of democracy, equality, and social justice. His sacrifice serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless brave men and women who laid down their lives for the cause of democracy and the rights of the people.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed his hope that the memory of Shaheed Abdul Razzaque Jharna will serve as an enduring inspiration as we advance towards a brighter and more equitable future for Pakistan.

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