Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday lauded the role of Pakistan’s armed forces, politicians, civil society and the public in defeating terrorist networks, vowing that the country will again overcome such threats.
Speaking in the National Assembly, he said Pakistan’s security institutions and its people had together confronted and defeated terrorists, preventing them from establishing safe havens on Pakistani soil.
He paid tribute to the sacrifices of the nation, saying that many had embraced martyrdom in the fight against militancy.
“We have defeated these elements before through the sacrifices of our people and the bravery of our forces; God willing, we will defeat them once more,” Bilawal said, stressing that a united national response, military, political and civilian is essential to protect the country.
He called on elected representatives and citizens to unite against terrorists, saying political differences must be set aside when the nation’s security is at stake.
“Whether elected representatives belong to the government or opposition benches and whether their disagreements are political or ideological, the issue of national security, particularly confronting the country’s enemies and terrorists must unite everyone,” he added.
Bilawal also defended advancing the 27th Constitutional Amendment, saying it completes elements left unfinished by the earlier 26th Amendment and reflects a broad political consensus across party lines.
“We worked day and night to pass the 26th Amendment and through political consensus, incorporated it into the constitution. Now the 27th Amendment will complete the unfinished parts of the 26th and finalize the charter we began,” he said.
He explained that the amendment package aimed not only to secure constitutional protections for key offices but also to bring targeted changes related to the country’s defence institutions.
Rejecting the notion that a constitutional change’s strength lies solely in the voting majority, Bilawal argued that real strength comes from political consensus.
Bilawal urged lawmakers to prioritize national unity and consensus when debating the amendment, saying that sustained political agreement not raw numbers would determine its legitimacy and durability.
Highlighting the historical consensus that shaped Pakistan’s constitutional framework, Bilawal underscored the importance of the 1973 Constitution and subsequent amendments in safeguarding provincial autonomy and democracy.
He recalled that the 1973 Constitution was enacted with unanimous support from all political parties under the leadership of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, ensuring no individual or political faction could unilaterally override the nation’s foundational agreement.
He described the 18th Amendment as a landmark achievement that reinforced provincial rights and strengthened democratic governance.
“The 18th Amendment carries the signatures of both the PPP and PML-N, alongside broad political consensus, ensuring no one today can target individuals or undermine institutions arbitrarily,” he said.
Bilawal lauded the armed forces for their professionalism and referenced actions during the May War against India, portraying the military as a symbol of national resilience.
He emphasized PPP’s contributions to constitutional reforms and said the party had acted in the national interest amid challenging times.
Bilawal acknowledged Pakistan’s ongoing domestic and regional challenges, including tensions arising from India’s activities in Afghanistan.
He also highlighted the party’s support for government recommendations under Article 243, asserting that backing these measures would strengthen Pakistan’s legal framework.
Bilawal called on opposition parties to move beyond partisan politics, emphasizing that their role should be to ensure accountability rather than defend individual leaders.
He said that the constitutional changes would establish a constitutional court with equal provincial representation, calling it a major achievement that reflects the party’s commitment to the Charter of Democracy.
Recalling frequent suo-motu notices in the past, Bilawal said they sometimes related to governance issues and even the fixation of market prices.
“After this constitutional amendment, there will be no arbitrary suo motu actions. Judges will decide cases through the established process, as in other democratic countries,” he asserted.
He reminded coalition partners that other charter commitments remain unimplemented and urged their completion to put Pakistan on the “right path.”
Bilawal warned that the country can only overcome economic crises, internal terrorism and external pressures if political actors accept shared ownership of Pakistan.
“This Pakistan belongs to everyone-me, Shehbaz Sharif and others, every political leader. We can disagree politically, but we must sit together, respect one another and work to deliver,” he said, urging politicians to restore respectful solution-oriented politics.
Bilawal credited the PPP’s role in shaping the amendments and appealed to opposition parties to move beyond narrow political transactions and contribute constructively to strengthening democratic institutions.
He also reaffirmed the party’s opposition to removing constitutional protections granted to provincial governments under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. “As long as I lead this party, the rights granted to provinces, along with constitutional protections, will remain intact,” he said.
Bilawal emphasised that while all provinces wish to help overcome the country’s economic challenges, it should not come at the cost of undermining constitutional guarantees.
He stressed the importance of continuous dialogue among political parties to resolve issues collaboratively and ensure the country’s stability and progress.