Daily Times

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Sunday slammed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, saying it has taken more than a hundred U-turns before the completion of its first hundred days in power.

Speaking at a rally here, the PPP chairman said members of the ruling party didn’t know anything other than engaging in altercation with political opponents. “Consultation, tolerance and parliamentary ethics will not work in ‘Naya Pakistan’, rather whatever Khan Sahib would say only that will happen,” he lamented.

Bilawal said his relationship with the valley spanned over three generations and that he inherited the love for Gilgit-Baltistan from his mother and grand father.

He vowed to keep struggling for strengthening Pakistan and putting an end to exploitation of masses. “My struggle is your struggle. This is a struggle for the rule of the people,” he said, urging the masses to support him the way they supported former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.

He noted that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto supported the oppressed people of Gilgit-Baltistan. “PPP gifted you Karakoram Highway and subsidy on wheat,” he said. “Shaheed Benazir Bhutto established Civil Secretariat here, brought judicial reforms,” he added.

Criticising the former as well as incumbent governments in the Centre, Bilawal said the former government continued attacking Gilgit-Baltistan’s autonomy, whereas a ‘change’ is being promised by the current government. “Your fund has been reduced in the beginning of this ‘change’. Rs4 billion were cut from Gilgit-Baltistan fund and 18 projects were ended,” he said. “The subsidy on wheat was ended and the quantity of flour that previously cost Rs1,200 now costs Rs3,000,” he said.”10 rupees ki roti 15 rupees ka naan, ye hai Naya Pakistan, wah re wah Imran Khan,” he chanted along with the crowd.

The PPP chief said the current rulers promised 10 million jobs, but they were depriving the masses of employment. “They promised five million houses, but instead they are razing mud houses and shops,” he said. “The economy is headed towards a collapse while inflation is at its peak. What kind of ‘Naya Pakistan’ is this which is taking us to an economic downfall,” he asked.

Bilawal vowed to ensure the constitutional rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan if voted to power. He said the GB was neglected in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), adding that PPP will compensate the region when came into power. He urged the masses to support PPP for their constitutional rights, adding that his party will make their dream come true.

Published in Daily Times, November 19^th 2018.