Daily Times

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday expressed concern over the continuation of politics of hatred and division in the country, saying how the country will move forward if political parties label each other as traitors.

Addressing a ceremony in Hyderabad, he said that everyone had the right to have a difference of opinion in politics, but it does not mean that the difference should be turned into personal enmity. “The politics of extremism, hatred and division will have to be ended [in the country],” he said, adding that PPP has already proved that it can carry everyone together. Bilawal said that some elements want people to remain divided, but when people understand such nefarious intentions, the victory will be for the people.

“Economic challenges, extremism and geopolitical conditions cannot be countered through the politics of hatred and division,” he said, adding that he needs the support of the intellectuals and the youth to steer the country in the right direction because when they step out, no one will be able to stop them.

Talking about the threats facing Pakistan due to climate change, the PPP chairman said people need to spread awareness about the issue.

“[Due to climate change], first we will drown, and then we will have to stay thirsty. After the North Pole and the South Pole, the Himalayan mountains have the largest number of ice glaciers in the world,” he warned.

Bilawal said that 250 million people will be at risk if the Himalayan glaciers melt due to climate change, adding that given climate change, the country will have to change its development vision and the support of writers and intellectuals.

The former foreign minister said that Pakistan cannot run in such a way that it ignores its history and culture. “We have to put the country on the right track. We have to own our history and all cultures,” he added.

He said that there has been a lot of oppression in the country. “Not only great leaders have been killed here, but their history, culture and languages have also been suppressed by their own hands. It is my dream that we take the country in such a direction, where every child of Pakistan knows Mohen Jo Daro.” The PPP chairman said that his party wants the problems of the youth across the country to be solved and to provide them with a constructive and healthy environment.

“We have introduced the concept of Youth Card and Youth Centres for the youth. Through the Youth Card, educated unemployed youth will be financially supported, while the Youth Centres set up at the district level will provide library, vocational training and sports facilities,” he added.