CHITRAL: Pakistan Peoples’ Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that people’s rule would be established after winning February 8 general elections.

Addressing public rally here, Bilawal declared that upon forming next government, he would prioritise implementation of 18th Amendment. Bilawal criticised leaders of opposition parties, asserting that they had disappointed people and masses of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were now looking up to PPP for resolution of their problems.

Bilawal Bhutto hinted that Aseefa Bhutto is vying to represent masses from remotest part of country and most likely contest next general elections from Chitral. He bemoaned that country was witnessing severe economic hardships. ‘Whenever we [PPP] had opportunity, we delivered for masses.

He argued that veteran leaders of opposition parties had failed to address masses’ problems during their tenures as prime ministers and he suggested that they should now retire, allowing young leadership to tackle country’s problems. Bilawal urged these older politicians to step aside, stating that it was youth’s demand to rid themselves of old guard.

He distanced himself from this demand, saying, “This demand isn’t mine, but that of country’s youth.”  While expressing his respect for elderly, Bilawal reiterated that he was conveying demand of youth of Pakistan.  Bilawal asserted that people of KP would reject all political parties that failed to deliver despite being in power for nearly 10 years in province.

He highlighted negative impact of Punjab-based political party that, in his view, led country into price hike affecting lives of common man. He stated that country suffered due to politics of confrontation and hate-based politics by two opposition parties that deceived masses in name of so-called change and respect for votes.

Bilawal observed that old politicians were promising to abolish 18th Amendment after coming into power. He questioned, “How much can old politicians achieve? Decisions of old politicians are influenced by today’s thoughts, not tomorrow’s.”

He said Sindh had made progress due to continuity of PPP regime policies and completion of record development projects. He asserted that whenever PPP came into power, it formed government in marginalised areas, emphasising that PPP’s government was for poor, unlike PTI, which he called government of TikTok and PML-N, which he said represented aristocracy only. He demanded full implementation of 18th constitutional amendment and fair NFC share to provinces.

Bilawal stated that people of Chitral were close to his heart and their problems would be addressed after coming into power. He emphasised that poverty, inflation and unemployment were at historic level in backward regions and solutions lie within PPP’s manifesto. Bilawal asserted that PPP had combated such issues in every era.

He criticised focus on personal animosity instead of resolving country’s crises, stating, “We aimed to rescue country from economic, political and international crises.” Bilawal concluded that infrastructure would be developed along with inner roads and road connecting China through Afghanistan to Central Asia would be paved.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 23 2023

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