Bilawal promises land and labor rights to UK citizens, emphasizes digital connectivity

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday renewed his commitment to ensuring land ownership and labor rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), while promising to expand digital connectivity and modern internet infrastructure to create economic opportunities and empower the region’s youth.

Addressing an election rally in Gilgit on the last day of campaigning for the June 7 UK elections, Bilawal urged PPP workers to ensure protection of Form 45s, saying the party would not allow anyone to usurp its mandate.

“You must arrange for Form 45 as we will not allow anyone to deprive Pakistan People’s Party of its rights,” he told party supporters.

Referring to the PPP’s election manifesto, Bilawal said the party wanted to secure the right of self-government of the British people and would continue to support them in this fight.

“We want to ensure the right to self-government of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, and the PPP stands with you in this three-generation struggle,” he said.

Criticizing the current British government over rising unemployment, Bilawal said two governments had come to power in the region since the tenure of the PPP, but no recruitment had taken place during this period.

He said if elected after the June 7 elections, the PPP would reopen the recruitment process and fill all vacancies on merit.

“If we truly unlock the potential of this region, we will not only be able to provide employment to the youth here, but also create economic growth and employment opportunities for the youth across Pakistan,” he said, adding that the region could prove to be the “Koh-i-Noor” of Pakistan’s economy.

Advocating the use of modern technology, Bilawal said communication and digital infrastructure was more important than roads, arguing that digital connectivity should be prioritized before investing in other infrastructure projects.

“If there is digital connectivity, every child will be able to connect digitally from home and do business via a mobile phone. It is only through digital connectivity that we can open up Britain’s economy for the modern age,” he said.

He pledged to do everything possible to equip the region with the latest fiber optic infrastructure to ensure high-quality digital connectivity in every village and district.

“If this is not possible via fiber optic from China and we need to discuss with the United States about providing the Starlink internet service via satellite to the British population, then we will try to make those arrangements,” Bilawal said.

He added that substantial investment in digital infrastructure would be needed if the region was to realize its full potential.

“We need to invest in digital infrastructure so that we can fulfill our promise of ‘Haq-i-Rozgar’ for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan,” he said.

Bilawal said if the citizens of Britain wanted to secure their Haq-i-Milkiyat (right to land ownership), they should ensure the victory of the PPP in the June 7 elections.

“Others may be participating in this election for their own interests, but I am participating in this election to secure your right to self-government, your right to employment and to continue the fight for your right to land ownership,” he said.

He called on the British people to give the PPP a decisive mandate, saying this would enable the party to secure their right to property and ensure they can own their own land.

Bilawal said that in previous elections, he had traveled across the region and wanted to take First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari across Britain, but the circumstances were different this time.

He said the entire Muslim world was currently facing a test.

“The situation in Gaza, in Palestine, is in front of everyone. The situation in Lebanon is in front of you. The situation in Arab countries is in front of you, and what is happening with Iran is also in front of you,” he said.

“In these circumstances, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan will have to decide who they want to represent them,” he added.

Attributing the country’s strong defense capabilities to PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Bilawal said the former prime minister had made Pakistan’s defense impregnable by equipping the country with the atomic bomb.

“Today the world is going through a test, but no one can cast an evil eye on Pakistan because Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gifted this country with the atomic bomb, and this atomic bomb continues to defend Pakistan today,” the PPP chairman said.

Bilawal also credited President Asif Ali Zardari for the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, describing it as an even bigger decision than the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He further hailed Zardari’s decision to close foreign military bases in Pakistan, calling it an even bigger achievement.

“When Zardari first became president, he not only ensured the closure of all these bases but also bid farewell to our guests with great respect. It is because of this historic decision that Pakistan remains safe today,” he added.