Pakistan Peoples 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 every Pakistani is bearing the burden 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.
Addressing 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 leadership figures and the killing of innocent schoolgirls.
He said certain forces thrive on hatred and division and are actively pursuing such agendas, warning that the Iran war has already spread its effects beyond the region and carries the danger of expanding further across 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 being carried by every Pakistani,” he remarked, adding that those attacking Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and other countries cannot cast an evil eye on Pakistan.
Highlighting the domestic situation, Bilawal said the country is facing historic inflation and an economic crisis but emphasised that provincial governments, like the federation, are contributing by cutting funds to provide public relief.
Bilawal said that in view of rising fuel prices, the PPP’s Sindh government has decided to financially support both public and private transport services so that fares are not increased.
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 from their own resources to a federal fund aimed at supporting transporters and preventing fare hikes. However, he acknowledged that given the scale of the crisis, such measures may not be sufficient, as the public is already facing severe hardships.
Bilawal emphasised that both federal and provincial governments would take steps according to their available resources to provide maximum relief to the poor.
He said the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is a transparent mechanism already delivering financial assistance across all four provinces and should be utilised more effectively.
He urged the federal government to expand the programme and increase its budget to support the public. “If the federal government brings a mini-budget for this purpose, we will support it,” he said, signalling PPP’s readiness to back difficult economic decisions in the national interest.
He urged small farmers and motorcycle owners to register themselves, 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 plan to financially assist small farmers through a Kissan Card, which will be launched soon. The provincial government aims to extend relief to motorcycle owners as well. The citizens must ensure that their vehicles are registered in their own names.
“Relief will only be provided to the person in whose name the motorcycle is registered,” he said, adding that the transfer fee for vehicle ownership has been waived to facilitate this process.
The PPP chief also thanked Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the PTI for their cooperation during difficult times, stating that national consensus in such circumstances is a positive development and that politics should be avoided in favour of national unity.
He said that leaders across provinces, including in Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh, are taking steps to provide relief, and stressed 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 can overpower or break us. Our nation will face this test with courage, and God willing, the 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 which are attacking Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, if they are not doing the same to Pakistan, it is because of Bhutto’s given atomic bomb.”
He reiterated that his grandfather knew well that he would have to pay the price of giving a nuclear bomb to his country with his life but he still took the leap and secured the atomic power.
