Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari speaks at the inauguration of the newly constructed outpatient department (OPD) block at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). Photo: Express
HYDERABAD:
While acknowledging that all Pakistanis bear the brunt of the ongoing war in the Gulf, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said his party will support the PML-N-led federal government if it decides to introduce a mini-budget amid a brewing global economic crisis.
At a ceremony held in Larkana on the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on Saturday, Bilawal termed the war against Iran illegal and strongly condemned the loss of lives, including the martyrdom of Iranian leading figures and the killing of innocent schoolchildren.
He said certain forces thrive on hatred and division and are actively pursuing such agendas, warning that Iran’s war has already spread its effects beyond the region and carries the danger of spreading further around the world.
The PPP chief said war is not a solution to any problem and expressed hope that hostilities would end soon and peace would be restored.
“The burden of the war between Iran, the United States and Israel is borne by all Pakistanis,” he said, adding that those who attack Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and other countries cannot look down on Pakistan.
Bilawal highlighted the internal situation and said the country is facing historic inflation and an economic crisis, but emphasized that provincial governments, like the federation, are contributing by cutting funds to provide public aid.
Bilawal said that in view of rising fuel prices, the PPP Sindh government has decided to financially support public and private transport services from increasing fares.
He added that in coordination with the federal government, measures are also being taken to provide relief to transporters affected by the increase in diesel prices.
The PPP chief said all provinces would contribute their own resources to a federal fund intended to support carriers and prevent rate increases. However, he acknowledged that, given the magnitude of the crisis, such measures may not be enough, as the population is already facing serious difficulties.
Bilawal emphasized that both the federal and provincial governments would take measures according to their available resources to provide maximum relief to the poor.
He said the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is a transparent mechanism that already provides financial assistance in all four provinces and should be used more effectively.
He urged the federal government to expand the program and increase its budget to support the public. “If the federal government comes up with a mini-budget for this purpose, we will support it,” he said, noting the PPP’s willingness to support difficult economic decisions in the national interest.
He urged small farmers and motorcycle owners to register, noting that it is unclear how long the current situation will persist. He warned that if the crisis continues, the federation and provinces may need to jointly develop a broader relief plan for the public.
“The Sindh government has developed a scheme to financially help small farmers through a Kissan card, which will be launched soon. The provincial government intends to extend the help to motorcycle owners as well. Citizens should ensure that their vehicles are registered in their own name.
“Relief will only be provided to the person in whose name the motorcycle is registered,” he said, adding that the vehicle ownership transfer fee has been waived to facilitate this process.
The PPP chief also thanked Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and PTI for their cooperation in difficult times, stating that national consensus in such circumstances is a positive development and politics in favor of national unity should be avoided.
He said leaders of all provinces including Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh are taking steps to provide relief and emphasized that collective efforts are necessary to overcome the current challenges.
Bilawal said unity is the country’s greatest strength. “If there is unity in Pakistan, no force in the world will be able to dominate or break us. Our nation will face this test with courage, and God willing, victory will be of the people and of peace,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to his grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, for equipping the country with the nuclear bomb. “The Zionist powers that are attacking Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, if they are not doing the same with Pakistan, it is because of the atomic bomb that Bhutto gave them.”
He reiterated that his grandfather knew well that he would have to pay with his life the price of giving his country a nuclear bomb, but he still took the leap and achieved atomic power.
