GARHI KHUDA BAKHSH: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Saturday reiterated his party’s longstanding demand for enhanced provincial autonomy, arguing that provinces should be entrusted with greater responsibility instead of having their powers curtailed.
While addressing a public gathering held to mark the 18th death anniversary of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto here, he said. “We can collect more taxes than the FBR if provinces are empowered”, adding that taxation reforms should be undertaken in consultation with provincial governments.
He also called for the devolution of authority over electricity distribution companies such as Sepco, Hesco and Fesco, arguing that provincial administrations were better positioned to manage them efficiently.
The PPP chairman underscored the need for reconciliation to steer the country out of prevailing political and economic crises, asserting that President Asif Ali Zardari remains the only leader capable of ending deep-rooted political polarisation.
“There is only one person who can take Pakistan out of political polarisation — the king of reconciliation — and that is Asif Ali Zardari,” the Bhutto scion said.
During his address, Bilawal said political polarisation was inflicting serious damage on democracy, economy and national security. “If Pakistan is pulled out of the political crisis, it will automatically help the country emerge from the economic crisis as well,” he observed.
He maintained that solutions to the country’s challenges lay in political engagement rather than confrontation. “If we truly want to resolve our problems, political forces will have to find a political way forward,” he said, urging opposition parties to practice responsible politics and calling on ruling parties to act in accordance with national interests.
Recalling the past events, Bilawal said that following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the entire country was engulfed in turmoil, with slogans of “Pakistan Na Khappay” echoing across the nation. “It was Asif Ali Zardari who saved the federation by raising the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay’ and who also removed a dictator,” he added.
Reflecting on Benazir Bhutto’s legacy, Bilawal said his mother consistently rejected the politics of revenge and extremism, even in the most testing times. “Bibi never demanded revenge. Her final message was reconciliation,” he said, adding that her last book also revolved around the theme of political harmony.
The PPP chairman warned that political extremism was once again gaining ground in the country and urged all sides to refrain from attacking state institutions. “Abusing institutions and incidents like May 9 fall outside the boundaries of democratic politics,” he said. Turning to regional security, Bilawal praised Pakistan’s armed forces for what he described as a decisive response to Indian aggression earlier this year. “In May, our armed forces defeated India. This victory was not just Pakistan’s — it was the victory of the entire nation,” he said, while also lauding the Pakistan Air Force.
He said India was still struggling to come to terms with the defeat, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “disappeared from the global stage” after the confrontation. “Even hearing the name of our Field Marshal makes Modi hide,” he remarked.
Bilawal also credited President Zardari with strengthening Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China, stating that he laid the foundation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and facilitated defence cooperation that bolstered Pakistan’s deterrence capability. On constitutional matters, the PPP chairman defended the 27th Constitutional Amendment, terming it a victory for the people and saying it fulfilled the vision of both Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. He said the party opposed controversial amendments but supported those aligned with national interest and the party manifesto, including the establishment of a constitutional court. While acknowledging that inflation remained a major public concern, Bilawal said inflation had declined compared to the previous PTI government, though he conceded that people had yet to feel its full impact. “The public asks us: if the economy is improving, why don’t we feel it?” he remarked.
Highlighting initiatives of the PPP-led Sindh government, Bilawal said free and quality healthcare was being provided across the province, including cardiac treatment at NICVD and kidney and liver care at Gambat. “Not only Sindh, but people from other provinces also receive free treatment at our hospitals,” he added.
He said the Sindh government was constructing two million homes for flood victims and had granted ownership rights to affected women. He also thanked PM Shehbaz Sharif for announcing an agricultural emergency on the PPP’s recommendation, saying the move had provided relief to farmers.
Bilawal concluded by urging both the government and the opposition to act responsibly and prioritise national interest over political point-scoring. “The federation survives when politics is based on reconciliation, not revenge,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, President Asif Ali Zardari warned India that Pakistan would respond decisively to any act of aggression, asserting that national resolve mattered more than sheer military size. “India may be a bigger power, but it does not possess the courage that Pakistan has,” he said.
He said PM Narendra Modi had now realised that Pakistan was fully capable of defending itself. “India should be thankful that we exercised restraint; otherwise, many more of their aircraft could have been brought down,” the president remarked.
Zardari said anyone casting an “evil eye” on Pakistan should remember that “Zardari is sitting here,” adding that the PPP and its workers remained fully prepared to defend the country at all costs. He maintained that India lacked the resolve demonstrated by Pakistan’s president, prime minister and army chief during moments of crisis.
Warning against future hostilities, the president said Pakistan remained fully prepared if war was imposed again. “India could not stand on its feet even for four days,” he said, referring to the recent confrontation.
Recalling the outbreak of hostilities, Zardari said he had been advised by his military secretary to move to a bunker. “I told him we fight and die in the open — we are ready,” he added.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday paid rich tribute to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, saying her life and leadership were defined by an unwavering commitment to democracy, the rights of people and the strength of federation.
In a message posted on social media platform X, the prime minister said he joined the nation in honouring Pakistan’s “great daughter,” who stood for tolerance, political harmony, women’s empowerment and the protection of minorities. He said Benazir Bhutto’s courage, sacrifices and enduring legacy continued to guide and inspire the nation, and prayed that Allah Almighty grant her the highest place in His mercy. “Ameen,” he added. PPP Information Secretary Shazia Atta Marri said people from across the country gather at Garhi Khuda Baksh every year on Dec 27 to pay tribute to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
Speaking to the media at the Sukkur Airport before departing for Garhi Khuda Baksh, she said the day served as a reminder to renew the commitment to carry forward Benazir Bhutto’s mission of democracy and public service. She said Benazir Bhutto endured exile for the sake of people and ultimately sacrificed her life for restoration of democracy. “We will continue to work to strengthen and promote democratic values in the country,” she added.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said people gather at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh every year to pay tribute to Benazir Bhutto on her death anniversary.
Talking to the media at the Sukkur Airport, he said no positive outcome could be expected from what he described as politics of chaos. He said Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had made efforts to bring political forces to the table, but those invited refused to sit together. He added that despite claiming to engage in dialogue, the same elements simultaneously issued threats of marching on Islamabad for a sit-in which, he said, undermined the spirit of negotiations.
Former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and Punjab Governor Saleem Haider said the ruling coalition was making concerted efforts to steer the country out of its current political and economic difficulties. Talking to reporters after arriving at the Sukkur Airport, they said anarchy marked the end of democracy, stressing that no development was possible in an atmosphere of disorder. They emphasized the need to create conditions in the country that ensured peace, stability and rule of law.
Rejecting allegations against the PPP, they said the party had never demanded that the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf be sent to jail. They described persistent agitation as his primary political approach, saying he continued to protest whether inside or outside prison.
