Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addresses a press conference in Karachi on November 7, 2025.
LAHORE:
As the PPP chairman concluded his four-day stay in the provincial capital, during which he congratulated the Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz reciprocated by extending a warm welcome to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, conveying her sincere wishes and prayers.
Taking to the microblogging site, Maryam welcomed Bilawal during his visit, telling him that Punjab is his home and he will always find a place of respect there. She also thanked him for his kind remarks.
During his visit, Bilawal praised Maryam for her leadership and governance and even invited her to contest the Sindh elections. However, the praise for the Punjab government appears to be just a garnish on a main course of veiled criticism. Despite staying in Punjab for four days, neither side contacted the other for a formal meeting, which is otherwise usual between natural allies.
The PPP president visited Chiniot on Thursday to offer condolences to PPP Central Punjab general secretary Hassan Murtaza over the death of his father.
Responding to media queries, Bilawal again hinted at the possibility of a governorship in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, while denying any formal discussions with the PML-N on the issue. However, he warned that the current situation could force the government to take action.
Bilawal said people are facing economic hardship. While acknowledging that the government’s claims of an improving economy are true to some extent, he stressed that much more needs to be done. He stressed the need to focus on exports and said the PPP believes that the federal and provincial governments are not adequately supporting the agricultural sector.
On Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed’s conviction, he termed it a historic verdict, saying the former general was sentenced to 14 years in prison. “I think other trials will also be conducted regarding different crimes committed by him,” he said.
Bilawal recalls witnessing two “pharaohs” in his political life: Imran Khan, who as prime minister threatened people with jail, even targeting women from families of political opponents such as Faryal Talpur and Maryam Nawaz, and General Faiz, who he said was intoxicated with power and, in violation of his oath, targeted politicians, media owners and others. “Now they are being held accountable for their actions,” he added.
On the 27th Amendment, Bilawal said the PPP sees it as fulfilling one of the key points of the Charter of Democracy (CoD). “This was promised in the CoD, and the PPP had long demanded the creation of a constitutional court with equal representation of all federating units,” he said, noting that the chief justice of the constitutional court hails from south Punjab, calling it a “triumph for our ideology”.
He added that the PPP had prevented any changes to the NFC price, describing it as another major victory. The NFC Award, protected by the 18th Amendment, ensures the financial security of the provinces. “If changes had been made, Punjab would have suffered the most,” he said. The PPP chairman acknowledged the financial difficulties of the federal government, but noted that the government has not contacted the PPP regarding the 28th Amendment or the creation of new provinces.
Bilawal stressed that the people of any province or city are not responsible for these financial challenges. “The responsibility lies with the bureaucrats in Islamabad,” he said, pointing out that the FBR consistently misses its revenue targets. “Why should the people bear the burden of the FBR’s weaknesses and mistakes?”
President arrives in Lahore
President Asif Zardari has arrived in Lahore, where he is expected to stay for a few days. During his visit, rumors circulated about a possible meeting between PPP and PML-N leaders; however, no official or unofficial confirmation has come from either side.
