Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed the oath-taking ceremony of Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Advocate, where he spoke about national unity, development, and the region’s future. He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for accepting the PPP’s mandate and said all political parties would work together for the progress of Gilgit-Baltistan. During his speech, Bilawal strongly declared that Defend Indus River remains Pakistan’s firm commitment and said the country would even fight if necessary to protect its water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Bilawal praised the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for their sacrifices and said they still remember the contributions of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He promised that the federal government would continue working to grant constitutional rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and ensure they have proper representation at the national level. He also reaffirmed the PPP’s promise to protect land ownership rights in the region.
Speaking about economic development, Bilawal said the government would create an environment that generates jobs for local people. He highlighted the potential of public-private partnerships in farming and stressed that decisions about land should remain in the hands of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He also announced that local government elections would be held before winter and promised equal treatment for all political parties in the region.
Bilawal also criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that after Pakistan’s victory in the recent conflict, India had adopted an “Israel model” to create instability. He alleged that India was attempting to interfere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan through external support, but said Pakistan would defeat such efforts. He further claimed that Israel had unsuccessfully tried a similar strategy against Iran after facing military setbacks.
Concluding his address, Bilawal said Pakistan would never compromise on the Indus Waters Treaty and would continue protecting its national interests. He repeated that the country is fully prepared to Defend Indus River and warned that Pakistan would even go to war if forced to safeguard its water resources. He said protecting the Indus River is a matter of national sovereignty and an important responsibility for future generations.