PPP leader calls for responsible policy and reconciliation amid affordability crisis
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addresses a rally at Gadhi Khuda Bakhsh on Saturday to mark the 18th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Photo:X
LARKANA:
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday highlighted widespread public dissatisfaction with the country’s economic situation, saying that although the government claimed progress, ordinary citizens were struggling to meet their daily expenses, especially in education and health.
Speaking after inaugurating the Child and Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Larkana Children’s Hospital under the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology, he stressed the need for political parties to adopt responsible politics and prioritize reconciliation.
Bilawal criticized the government for pushing for development while ordinary citizens continue to face hardships. He recognized the economic crisis facing the country, stressing that employees were struggling to make ends meet.
“The government claims to promote development, but the common man cannot afford the expenditure on education and health,” he said. “The PPP aims to ease the economic burden on citizens through policies aligned with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s manifesto.”
On privatization, Bilawal said the PPP favored a public-private partnership model. “We have our own perspective, that of public-private partnership,” the PPP chairman told reporters.
“Sindh Agro Coal Mining Company and Child Life Foundation are projects of the Sindh government under this model,” he pointed out. He noted that The Economist magazine ranked Sindh’s public-private partnership model sixth in the world.
The PPP chairman also criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for attacking state institutions after the arrest of its leader. “If PTI attacked institutions and nothing happened, imagine what would have happened if PPP had done something like that,” he said.
He urged the PTI to abandon extremist policies and operate within democratic limits, citing a saying: “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” He warned that actions against national institutions in response to legal proceedings would result in legal consequences.
Bilawal reiterated that reconciliation remained the guiding philosophy of his party, giving credit to President Asif Ali Zardari for promoting dialogue and tolerance in politics. He highlighted the tense situation on Pakistan’s borders with India and Afghanistan, as well as the rise in terrorism, stressing that extremist political behavior would draw a strict state response.
Responding to calls for elections, Bilawal stressed that polls would be held on time and political parties, including Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, should collaborate on reforms to ensure transparency and build public confidence in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). He warned against holding elections in conditions likely to foster political instability.
Highlighting Sindh’s achievements in healthcare, Bilawal said the province now offers unparalleled medical services, including highly sensitive intensive care units in Larkana, and 100% free treatment for children in line with international standards. He added that the infant mortality rate in Sindh has reduced significantly since the 18th amendment and health centers have been established in Karachi, Nawabshah, Sukkur, Larkana and Jamshoro.
He thanked Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif for sending a delegation to Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto on the occasion of the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, PPP Sindh Chairman Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, MP Nida Khuhro, MP Khursheed Ahmed Junejo and other party leaders were present on the occasion.
