KARACHI/ISLAMABAD, December 02: Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has extended greetings to the people of the entire country including Sindh on Sindhi Culture Day which is being celebrated tomorrow (Sunday). 

According to a press release issued by Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP Chairman, in his message, said that the evergreen culture of Sindh is a reflection of one of the oldest and most beautiful civilizations in the world, the center of which is Mohenjo Daro. “The people of Sindh have historically been peaceful, tolerant and patriotic as well as lovers of art and nature,” he added.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that cultural diversity is the beauty of our society, and an unparalleled example of our national unity to the world, adding that the purposeful cultural activities are no less than a poison for hatred, division and extremism in society and an elixir for promoting tolerance and social harmony.

Chairman PPP said that his party believes in giving equal importance and status to all the cultures of the country. “It is our manifesto to present a positive face of Pakistan to the world by highlighting its proud ancient civilization and beautiful culture globally,” he added.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that if, God forbid, either the PML-N or the PTI comes to power as a result of the February 8 general elections, they will destroy the country and the people through their politics of revenge. He warned that it is not possible to run a similar campaign in 2024 as in the 2018 elections that “this individual is an angel, while everyone else is rubbish”, and urged that instead of the politics of conflict, we should go towards reconciliation, decisions should be made by consensus.

According to the press release issued by media cell Bilawal House Karachi, Chairman PPP, while addressing a press conference in Quetta on Saturday, said that his party would give everyone a “best surprise” in the February 8 elections, adding that the people of Balochistan had shown who they were with by fully participating in his party’s foundation day rally on November 30. “PPP and its leaders know how to contest and win elections,” he added.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that whether it is Pakistan or the world, the establishment is a reality. He said that as a young politician, he wants to shift the politics of confrontation in the country to the politics of consensus, adding that decisions should be made by consensus among all political parties and institutions. “Now it is not possible to do the same as it was done in the 2018 election, when the whole of Pakistan was being told that this is (Imran) Khan, this is your savior, you have to support him, (because) all the rest (parties) are rubbish,” he said, adding that we want the institutions to work within their own scope.

Chairman PPP termed the record inflation, unemployment and poverty in the country as the main problems of the country and said that if these problems are to be solved, PPP government will have to be formed, and added: “PPP is the only party that can take the entire federation, all institutions, all political parties, classes, all language speakers and regions together.”

In response to a question raised by a journalist regarding Nawaz Sharif, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the PML-N supremo should contest the elections based on his ideology rather than the administration. “Mian Sahib, respect the vote, don’t disrespect the vote,” he advised former premier. Responding to a question about the PML-N leadership’s announcements to roll back the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the PPP Chairman said that such thinking is dangerous for the country and the federation. “Those who want to abolish the 18th Amendment, in fact, want to rob the resources of Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. They want to cut public health and education budgets and send them to Islamabad,” he added. He furtherd that currently there are 17 ministries in Islamabad, which should be in the provinces and not in the Center, adding that the annual budget of said ministries is over 100 billion rupees, which is wasted. “If the PPP government is formed, then the devolution process will be completed. I will close those federal ministries and spend that 100 billion rupees on my people,” he announced.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in response to question, said that some people have a misconception that the political winds are in their favour, adding that the Raiwind is attempting (unsuccessfully) to change the direction of the winds in its favor. He said that those who were pelted with tomatoes and eggs in Lahore are worried about the situation in Punjab, not Sindh. “We are trying to be the “Ladlas” of the public. We believe that the people make the direction of the winds, when the people make a decision, then everyone has to accept the people’s mandate,” he contended.

“Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto always struggled for level playing field,” said PPP Chairman, adding that his party has always talked about a level playing field not only for itself, but for all political parties. He pointed out that President Asif Ali Zardari, when in office, empowered provinces through the eighteenth amendment. “This time, if Allah gives a chance, we will solve the problems of Balochistan as well,” he vowed.

Talking about the issue of Afghan citizens, the PPP Chairman said that it is a complex matter, and advised the caretakers that instead of being sentimental, the government should have consulted all relevant stakeholders, including the host communities. “People on both sides of the Durand Line are sick of war, they want to live and thrive.” He, in response to another question, said that Afghanistan should behave like a state, and added: “Afghanistan must demonstrate that the enemy of Pakistan is undoubtedly the enemy of Afghanistan.” Talking about the ongoing protest in Chaman, he said that the government should negotiate with the protestors and find a solution to the problem. “Problems cannot be solved by not giving media coverage to the issue,” he contended.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that his party’s government formed after the victory in the upcoming general elections will introduce the Green Energy Parks at the district level to solve the long-standing electricity crisis in the country, and the poor families will be provided free electricity up to 300 units monthly. 

He also lambasted the traditional non-public approach of bureaucracy, saying that that the “Baboos” (bureaucrats) sitting in Islamabad neither do the work themselves nor let anyone else do it, adding that like Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the people of Punjab also feel deprived. 

He once again categorically said that PPP believes in making local bodies administratively and financially independent.

According to the press release issued by Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP Chairman, while addressing the chairmen and mayors of local bodies across the province participating in the annual general meeting of the Local Council Association Balochistan chapter, urged that there is a need to focus more on local solutions to alleviate the problems faced by the people.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that it is said that during his third term, Mian Sahib (Nawaz Sharif) had eliminated the problem of electricity load shedding in the country, and continued: “(on such claim) I wonder which Pakistan is this, where 18 hours of loadshedding is happening.” He said that after winning the polls due on February 8, his government will implement the Green Energy Parks project under Public Private Partnership mode to solve the power crisis. “We will generate the electricity locally and supply it to the local population at subsidized rates,” he added.

Chairman PPP termed the local government representatives as truly grassroots representatives, and urged that both the federal and provincial governments must consult with the local government representatives in preparing the annual budget. “Working together can solve many of the problems people are facing,” he said.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari termed the issue of climate change as a big challenge as well as threat for Pakistan and warned that more difficulties may be faced in this regard. He recalled that last year there was a sudden huge flood, while before that, different parts of the country were suffering from drought. “Everyone talks about the North Pole and the South Pole in terms of climate change, but there is another pole that is neglected. That third pole is the Himalayas, where our glaciers are,” he said, adding that the world has to understand that along with saving the wildlife of the North and South Poles, people also have to be saved from destruction.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that due to climate change Sindh and Balochistan are at the highest risk of damage, adding that the governments would have to change development plans, and it will have to be designed with climate change in view. “We need to invest in water reservoirs, irrigation systems and schools to build green infrastructure. When we do this, we can protect our infrastructure from future floods and climate change. On the other hand, this development process will provide employment to the local people,” he added.

Chairman PPP said that the country cannot run the way it is being run, adding that the people of Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab feel deprived. “We have to think now about the old hateful, divisive politics,” he added. He furthered that the sufferings of the people are increasing due to the mutual fights, due to which people are losing confidence in the governments. “We have to restore the confidence of the people, if the democratic parties fail, another force will take our place. This situation will not be good for our country and the region,” he concluded.

Local Council Association of Pakistan President Syed Kumail Hyder Shah and other leaders of the organization were also present on this occasion. Local Council Association Balochistan chapter meeting was attended by the chairmen of district councils of 32 districts, mayors of six municipal corporations and chairman of 128 municipal corporations of Balochistan province.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto has said that the time has come to let the people decide the future of Pakistan, the people will have to be made partners in political, economic and social matters, adding: “I know how elections are conducted, but I also know that when the people of Pakistan wake up, no one can stop them.”

According to the press release issued by Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP Chairman, while addressing the Balochistan High Court Bar Association, said that he feels the pain and suffering of the people of Balochistan. He said that my maternal grandfather Shaheed Zulfiqkar Ali Bhutto, who was the first elected Prime Minister of the country and also served as the President of the country, was hanged. “My mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, was the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan as well as the first ever elected Prime Minister of Muslim Ummah, was martyred. My young maternal uncle Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto was poisoned. My (other) maternal uncle Mir Murtaza Bhutto was martyred outside his house and it was blamed on Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and her family under the conspircay, “target a Bhutto to chase other Bhutto, to topple Shaheed Bibi’s elected government,” he added. 

“Today, when I see a mother in Balochistan sad because of her son’s target killing or disappearance, I understand her pain,” said Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and questioned that whether it is written in our destiny that the blood of the people of Pakistan, especially the people of Balochistan, is cheap. Has the system for 70 years brought justice to the citizens living in this country?  

Chairman PPP said that general elections are going to be held on February 8 next year, and added: “We are being told that the one who became the prime minister for three times, now he will become the prime minister for the fourth time and after that he will get the country out of trouble. (And) the other person is the one who was the prime minister a few years ago, who had said that the protesting Hazara community in Balochistan were blackmailers, and who, being prime minister, considered the issue of missing persons unimportant, and liked to call himself a youth leader despite being 70 years old.” He questioned whether these people are the options of the people of Pakistan, Balochistan and the country?

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged that those politicians who made our blood cheap should not be given another chance, adding that let the people decide the future of Pakistan. “I also know that when the people and the youth take a decision, no power in the world can reverse it. I request you to surprise them all on February 8, use your voting power, come out in large numbers,  and don’t leave the fate of the country to 2 people,” he added.

“My objection is not at all that they have become elders,” said Chairman PPP, adding that age does not matter, you can adopt a new style of politics for this country even when you are old, and you can be interested in the same old style of politics even when you are young. He emphasized that we have to leave the traditional and old political thinking. “We will bury the politics of hate, ego and division and move forward. Inshallah, PPP will be in the government. We will first give the people of Balochistan their right,” he continued. He said that when President Asif Ali Zardari took measures like the launch of Aghaz-e-Huqooq-Balochistan, the Eighteenth Amendment and NFC during his tenure, these were tantamount to the victory of Balochistan.

Chairman PPP said that his party’s previous governments in Sindh have ensured the development and welfare of the local population as well as the protection of their rights by making them shareholders in the resources of Thar. He said that in the past Tharparkar was presented as Africa, but now women of Thar are also working as engineers and truck drivers on the Thar Coal project. “Through the Thar Coal project, we are delivering the cheapest electricity to the National Grid, electricity is going to Faisalabad. We have done development in Sindh through Public Private Partnership,” he pointed out.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari asked whether the citizens of Balochistan consider themselves to be part of CPEC or not. “I think the people of Balochistan are being abused. CPEC was founded by President Asif Ali Zardari, but the project was not carried forward according to his vision. Balochistan has minerals and resources. As much as Balochistan has, not so many resources in the whole of Pakistan.”

PPP Chairman said that his party has always trusted people of the country. Addressing the public, he said: “You and I will make a new history together, we can change the fate of this country. I have been the youngest foreign minister of the country, I know that this country There is so much potential in the people, and I know how we can present the country as a modern state in the world.”

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that his party will give a surprise on February 8 general elections, as the incoming Prime Minister as well as Chief Ministers of provinces will be Jiyalas of his party. 

He announced that the PPP government formed as a result of the success in the upcoming general elections, to solve the problems faced by the unemployed youth and provide financial support to the working classes will introduce, on the pattern of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), the Youth Card, Kissan Card and the Mazdoor Card.

“Youths should comeforward and bury the politics of division, hate, and revenge in the country as Pakistan needs a new way of approach and politics,” he urged.

Addressing a mammoth public gathering held on the occasion of the party’s 56th foundation day in Quetta, the PPP Chairman said that Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto introduced a new style of politics in the country, as he took politics out of the drawing room and brought it to the masses. “Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto also adopted a new style of politics by burying the politics of hatred, division and revenge, and continued to do politics under the slogan “Democracy is our revenge,” he said, adding that she used to say that she has to serve her poor people of the country. “Shaheed Bibi also set an example and showed how the country is run by uniting the entire nation,” he recalled. 

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that President Asif Ali Zardari also created a new history by burying the politics of hatred, ego, division and revenge after assuming the office of the presidency, adding that President Zardari did not take revenge on any of them, who attempted to cut out his tongues (during imprisonment) or kept him imprisoned for 12 years. “President Zardari has shown restraint on his media trial. Sometimes in Memogate someone would go to court wearing a black coat and someone would appear as the (so-called) representative of the youth, but he (didn’t mess with them, instead) united the whole country with him and served the people,” he added. He furthered that earlier the country had to import wheat, rice and sugar, but within a year of President Zardari becoming the head of the state, Pakistan became one of the countries that exported these commodities.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party said that the solution to all the problems faced by the country is in the ideology of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and manifesto of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, adding that other parties protect the interests of the elite, while PPP always takes care of the poor people of the country. He said that the PPP government formed after winning the general elections on February 8 will further increase the BISP, adding: “we will also issue youth cards for the youth. I am young myself, so I can understand their problems and thinking. 70pc of Pakistan’s population consists of youth, no “Khilarri” (player) represents them, I will.” He said that youth centers will be established in every district, where all necessary facilities for training and employment of youth will be provided.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that PPP is following the style of politics that it does not consider any party or politician as its rival, but considers inflation, unemployment and poverty as its enemy. “We will put the country on the lines where everyone can progress,” he added. He said that the PPP government coming after the election will also introduce Kissan Card and Mazdoor Card for the financial support of the working classes. “Instead of giving subsidies to the industrialists, the money will be directly deposited in the pockets of the workers through the said cards,” he said.

Citing the performance of the previous PPP government in Sindh, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that there has been significant improvement in the health sector in Sindh within a short period of time. “In the form of NICVD, Sindh now has the world’s largest cardiovascular care network. The hospital located in Tehsil Gambat of Sindh cannot be compared with any hospital in Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he pointed out.

Chairman PPP said that he is not a seasonal democrat, adding: “whether in government or in opposition, we protects the Constitution as it includes the blood and sweat of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and their workers.” He said that sometimes the people of PML-N and sometimes PTI raise slogans that they would abolish the 18th amendment, adding that those who talk about abolishing the Eighteenth Amendment actually want to say that they want to rob the resources of Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab and hand over these resources to the bureaucrats of Islamabad. “We will not allow this plot to succeed,” he warned.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that PML-N failed to manage the economy despite having the treasury portfolio during the previous coalition government. “PML-N has now become “Menhgai League” for the people. They have failed, (and) people know that they are political showmen,” he added.

He said that Balochistan is a province of brave and zealous people, and he himself will represent this province along with President Asif Ali Zardari, adding that President Zardari made Balochistan the owner of its resources. “President Asif Ali Zardari restored the 1973 constitution to its original form through the 18th amendment; gave projects like NFC, Aghaz Haqook Balochistan Initiative and Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline. I promise that if the next government is of PPP; I will complete the Pak-Iran pipeline project,” he added. He also urged the public that if the country’s poor are to be benefited, then the PPP has to be supported to win the upcoming polls.