Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari speaks during the inauguration of the new Outpatient Department (OPD) block of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). Photo: Express
HYDERABAD:
While acknowledging that every Pakistani bears the burden of the ongoing Gulf war, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his party would support the PML-N-led federal government if it decides to introduce a mini-budget amid global economic crisis.
Addressing a function organized in Larkana on the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on Saturday, Bilawal termed the war against Iran illegal and strongly condemned the loss of lives, including martyrdom of Iranian leaders and killing of innocent schoolgirls.
He said some forces thrive on hatred and division and actively pursue such agendas, warning that the war in Iran has already spread its effects beyond the region and risks spreading further across the world.
The PPP leader said war is not a solution to any problem and expressed hope that hostilities would soon end and peace would be restored.
“The burden of the war between Iran, the United States and Israel lies on all Pakistanis,” he remarked, adding that those who attack Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and other countries cannot cast an evil eye on Pakistan.
Highlighting the domestic situation, Bilawal said the country is facing historic inflation and an economic crisis, but stressed that provincial governments, like the federation, are contributing by reducing funds intended to provide public assistance.
Bilawal said that in view of the rising fuel prices, the Sindh PPP government has decided to financially support public and private transport services so that fares do not increase.
He added that in coordination with the Federal Government, steps are also being taken to provide relief to transporters affected by the increase in diesel prices.
The PPP leader said all provinces would contribute from their own resources to a federal fund to support carriers and prevent fare hikes. He acknowledged, however, that given the scale of the crisis, such measures may not be enough, as the population is already facing serious difficulties.
Bilawal stressed that the federal and provincial governments would take measures according to their available resources to provide maximum relief to the poor.
He said the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is a transparent mechanism that already provides financial assistance in all four provinces and should be used more effectively.
He urged the federal government to expand the program and increase its budget to support the public. “If the federal government presents a mini-budget to this effect, we will support it,” he said, signaling the PPP’s willingness to support difficult economic decisions in the national interest.
He urged small farmers and motorcycle owners to register themselves, noting that it is unclear how long the current situation will persist. He warned that if the crisis continues, the federation and provinces may need to jointly develop a broader relief plan for the public.
“The Sindh government has come up with a plan to financially help small farmers through a Kissan card, which will be launched soon. The provincial government also aims to extend assistance to motorcycle owners. Citizens must ensure that their vehicles are registered in their own name.
“Help will be given only to the person in whose name the motorcycle is registered,” he said, adding that the fee for transferring ownership of the vehicle has been waived to facilitate this process.
The PPP chief also thanked Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and PTI for their cooperation in difficult times, saying national consensus in such circumstances is a positive development and politics should be avoided in favor of national unity.
He said leaders of all provinces, including Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh, were taking steps to provide relief, and stressed that collective efforts were needed to overcome the current challenges.
Bilawal said unity is the greatest strength of the country. “If there is unity in Pakistan, no force in the world will be able to defeat or break us. Our nation will face this ordeal with courage, and God willing, victory will come to the people and to peace,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to his grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, for equipping the country with the nuclear bomb. “The Zionist powers who attack Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, if they do not do the same with Pakistan, it is because of the atomic bomb given by Bhutto.”
He reiterated that his grandfather knew well that he would have to pay with his life the price of giving his country a nuclear bomb, but he still took the plunge and secured atomic energy.
