Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while addressing a massive public gathering on the 18th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, paid glowing tribute to the first elected woman Prime Minister of the Islamic world and Pakistan’s twice-elected Prime Minister, hailing her as a towering democratic leader and visionary statesperson. He said that Shaheed Bibi’s final message was one of reconciliation, emphasizing that political forces must abandon hardline politics.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that in order to confront the country’s economic difficulties and external challenges, resolving the internal political crisis has become unavoidable. He added that it is only the President Asif Ali Zardari-the champion of reconciliation-who can steer the country out of political polarization.
According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP Chairman said that even after 18 years, millions of people from all four provinces gather every year at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh to send a message to the world, including the killers and forces involved in the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, that “Aaj Bhi Bibi Zindah Hy.” He thanked the people for their unwavering support for the PPP, saying, “It is your support and love that give us strength, and with that strength we go to Islamabad to strive for solutions to your problems.”
President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, and senior leaders of the Party were also present at the public gathering.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that in May this year, during the Pakistan-India war, the armed forces of Pakistan secured such a victory for the country that was appreciated across the world. He termed this victory a triumph of the people and said that without the sacrifices of Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, such a victory would not have been possible. He said that it was because of the sacrifices of Garhi Khuda Bakhsh that Pakistan became a nuclear power, and that it was due to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto that the country acquired missile technology through which it was able to defend itself. He further said that the aircraft which shot down six Indian fighter jets in the recent war were also acquired from China by President Zardari. He added that after the defeat, Narendra Modi has now disappeared, and that the Indian Prime Minister falls silent upon hearing the name of Pakistan’s Field Marshal, General Asim Munir.
Chairman PPP pointed out that the foundation of Pakistan-China friendship was laid by Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, which was later strengthened further during the tenures of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari. He said that during his previous presidential term, President Asif Ali Zardari further reinforced this friendship by laying the foundation of a landmark project like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari once again declared the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment a victory for the jiyalas, saying that it made possible the establishment of a Constitutional Court, which was part of the Party’s manifesto and a promise made by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to the people. He said that the points over which the jiyalas had reservations were not included in the 27th Amendment. He said that the PPP is a federalist party that believes in serious and responsible politics. “We understand that the problems of the federation are our problems, and we will work to resolve the federation’s economic challenges and difficulties,” he said.
He added that while safeguarding the rights of the provinces, the issues faced by the federation can also be resolved. He stressed that instead of curtailing provincial rights, the provinces should be entrusted with greater responsibilities such as tax collection, and said that the PPP’s provincial governments are ready in this regard. He said that the federation should shift the burden of institutions such as HESCO, LESCO and PEPCO from its shoulders and hand them over to the provinces.
Chairman PPP said that the people are questioning the federal government’s claims that the economy is improving, asking why, if this is so, the common man continues to suffer through an economic crisis. He said that the people are battling inflation, unemployment and poverty, while the prices of electricity, gas, essential commodities and virtually everything else continue to rise. He said that there is a crisis of affordability within institutions, and that it is only the PPP that possesses both the capacity and the manifesto to steer the people out of these difficulties.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that President Asif Ali Zardari introduced a revolutionary initiative in the form of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), which continues to serve as a lifeline for poor women across the country. He said that following the floods of 2022, the Sindh government is constructing two million homes for displaced families, with ownership rights being granted to women of the respective households-another transformative step towards women’s economic empowerment. He added that after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the PPP-led Sindh government decided to provide 100 percent free, world-class healthcare facilities to the people across the province. He said that today, 50 percent of patients seeking treatment in Sindh’s hospitals come from other provinces, and that the Party considers it its responsibility to serve the poor citizens of the entire country.
Chairman PPP appreciated the measures taken by Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif, including the declaration of an agricultural emergency in the aftermath of the floods. He said that the Sindh government is providing financial assistance to farmers and small cultivators through the Benazir Hari Card to support the purchase of fertilisers and seeds.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that achieving economic stability in the country requires emerging from the prevailing political crisis. He said that incidents like those of May 9 and the abuse or vilification of state institutions do not fall within the bounds of democratic politics. Addressing party workers, he said, “I ask the jiyalas: if President Zardari or I were arrested, and I were to call for an attack on a Corps Commander, would the response against you not be severe?”
He said that Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was unjustly sent to the gallows and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, yet the PPP chose to confront oppression through the political process rather than taking the law into its own hands. He recalled that after the martyrdom of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, slogans of “Na Khapay” were being raised from all sides, but President Asif Ali Zardari saved the country and the federation by raising the slogan of “Pakistan Khapay.” He added that to end the political crisis, political parties must find a “political path” forward.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that in the current environment of political polarisation, if there is any one individual who remains acceptable and a source of hope for the people of Pakistan and for political parties, it is President Asif Ali Zardari, whom he described as the “King of Reconciliation.” He said that how this will happen and when it will happen will be decided by the seniors, while others can offer proposals. He stressed that everyone must play their role so that relief can be provided to the people and the challenges facing the country can be effectively addressed.
‘Pakistan to respond decisively to aggression’
Addressing the public gathering, President Zardari warned India that Pakistan would respond decisively to any act of aggression. “India may be a bigger power, but it does not possess the courage that Pakistan has,” he said.
He said Modi had now realised that Pakistan was fully capable of defending itself. “India should be thankful that we showed restraint; otherwise, many more of their aircraft could have been brought down,” he remarked.
The president said anyone casting an “evil eye” on Pakistan should remember that “Zardari is sitting here,” adding that the PPP and its workers remained ready to defend the country at all costs.