Daily Times

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed frustration with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), accusing the party of violating agreements and failing to provide PPP with respect in the federal government.

Addressing the media at Bilawal House in Karachi on Thursday, Bilawal stated that the issue was not about personal grievances but about honour and political integrity.

“Politics is about respect, not resentment. If the judiciary had representation from rural Sindh, we would have demanded equality,” he remarked, referring to Pakistan’s Supreme Court.

Bilawal highlighted the government’s failure to adhere to agreements, particularly during constitutional reforms, citing discrepancies in policy implementation.

“During the constitutional reform process, the government made promises but then backtracked, adopting different approaches for Sindh compared to the rest of the country,” he added.

The PPP leader also criticised the lack of consultation in key governance decisions, particularly the approval of projects like the canals under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

“We had agreed on consultation, but instead, decisions were made without proper dialogue,” Bilawal said, expressing disappointment at the government’s actions.

When asked about the recent killing of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, Bilawal condemned the act, aligning with the Chinese ambassador’s statement that the murders were “unacceptable.”

“A murder is a crime against humanity,” he said, adding that Chinese nationals, who contribute to Pakistan’s economy, should be protected.

Bilawal also discussed the rising security challenges, especially terrorism, urging the government to take more concrete action.

“We need less talk and more action to combat terrorism effectively,” he stated, stressing the need for a national action plan to tackle growing extremism, particularly in regions like Balochistan and former tribal areas.

Commenting on the victory of President-Elect Donald Trump in the US elections, Bilawal suggested it would not have a significant impact on Pakistan’s politics. Reflecting on the current state of Pakistan-US relations, he remarked, “The ties have deteriorated further, and there’s a need to improve them.”

Bilawal also criticised the government’s decision to impose further restrictions on the internet and VPN services. He stated that those making such decisions are out of touch with reality and do not understand the negative impact on technology access.

“The internet has become so slow, it feels like the 1990s again,” he said, referring to the outdated, slow internet connections reminiscent of his childhood. In a separate development, the PPP chairman provided an update on the health of his father, President Asif Ali Zardari, revealing that he is recovering after fracturing his leg, which resulted in four fractures. Bilawal explained that Zardari would need a few weeks of rest for full recovery.