LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said although there has been no formal discussion between his party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), the political situation created by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is compelling the government to consider its constitutional options, including the possibility of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PPP chairman visited Chiniot on Thursday to offer condolences to party’s Central Punjab General Secretary Hassan Murtaza on the demise of his father. Commenting on the conviction of former ISI chief Faiz Hameed, Bilawal termed it a historic verdict, noting that the retired general has been sentenced to 14 years. He said more trials are expected regarding various actions attributed to him.
Bilawal recalled witnessing what he described as two “pharaohs” in politics—Imran Khan, who as prime minister used the threat of imprisonment against opponents and targeted political families, and Faiz who, he said, misused authority to pressure politicians, media owners and others. Both, he added, are now facing consequences and should seek forgiveness, signalling a message that such excesses must not be repeated.
Regarding the 27th Constitutional Amendment, he said the PPP sees it as the fulfilment of a key commitment made in the Charter of Democracy. He described the formation of a Constitutional Court with equal provincial representation as a longstanding party demand, noting that the appointment of a chief justice from South Punjab reflects the PPP’s ideological success.
He said the PPP also blocked any move to amend the NFC Award, terming it another major achievement. The award, protected under the 18th Amendment, guarantees financial stability to the provinces. Bilawal said any attempt to alter it would have harmed Punjab the most.
While acknowledging the federal government’s financial difficulties, he said the PPP has not been approached regarding the 28th Amendment or the creation of new provinces. He stressed that citizens of any province or city are not responsible for the country’s financial troubles, placing responsibility instead on bureaucratic inefficiencies in Islamabad, particularly the FBR’s repeated failure to meet revenue targets.
Bilawal reiterated the PPP’s clear opposition to any change in the NFC Award but said the party, as a federal force, is willing to work with others to address national economic challenges.
The PPP chairman said that although economic conditions remain difficult, the government has achieved some improvement. He recalled that when the Pakistan Democratic Movement took charge, the country was on the brink of default and unemployment was at its highest level. He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government with stabilising the situation and said claims of zero foreign investment were incorrect.
Bilawal emphasised the need to boost exports and criticised both federal and provincial governments for not providing adequate support to the agriculture sector. He said the PPP has worked to assist small farmers with up to 25 acres by ensuring provision of fertilizers and pesticides, enabling agricultural growth and enhancing Pakistan’s export potential.
