Bilawal says Pakistanis are paying price for ‘illegal war’ against Iran, warns conflict will engulf world

Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said the ongoing conflict between Israel, the United States and Iran was placing an economic burden on Pakistan, saying, “The burden of the war between Iran, the United States and Israel is borne by every Pakistani.” »

Speaking at a rally marking the 47th death anniversary of former Prime Minister and PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Bilawal called the war against Iran “illegal” and condemned the deaths of several people, as well as the killing of schoolgirls in an attack on an educational institution.

He warned that “some forces believe in hatred and division,” adding that conflict had begun to engulf the entire world. “There are fears that this war will spread globally, as its effects are no longer limited to Iran,” he said.

Bilawal stressed that “war is not the solution to any problem” and expressed hope for a quick end to hostilities. He added that countries targeting Iran, Palestine and Lebanon “cannot cast an evil eye on Pakistan.”

Calling for economic relief, he urged the government to use the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to support citizens during the crisis, adding: “If a mini-budget is needed, we will support it. »

He said the federal and provincial governments were in the process of reallocating funds to provide relief, noting that the Sindh government was planning to launch financial assistance to small farmers through a ‘Kisan card’ scheme.

Bilawal said the country was facing “historic inflation and crisis”, adding that provincial authorities would take steps to ease the burden on citizens, especially farmers and motorcycle users. He urged small farmers and motorcycle owners to sign up for upcoming support programs, warning that the duration of the crisis remained uncertain.

He said assistance would be provided to registered motorcycle owners and urged citizens to ensure their vehicles were registered under their own name and national identity card number, adding that transfer fees had been waived.

Amid economic challenges, he said the government would financially support public and private transportation services to prevent fare increases, while coordinating with the federal government to provide relief to carriers affected by rising diesel prices.

Bilawal said all provinces would contribute to a federal fund to support carriers and stabilize fares, but acknowledged such measures may be insufficient given the scale of the crisis.

He urged the federal government to expand the BISP, saying his party would support any measure to increase its budget.

Bilawal also thanked the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members for their cooperation, emphasizing the need for political consensus. “In such circumstances, national interest must take precedence over politics,” he said.

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He added that provincial leaders, including Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh, were taking steps to provide relief. “If there is unity in Pakistan, no force in the world will be able to defeat or divide us. Our generation will overcome this ordeal – God willing, victory will come to the people and peace,” he said.