Karachi: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari commended senior party leader Mian Raza Rabbani for his contributions to literature, democracy, and the Constitution. He praised Rabbani’s dedication of his novel “The Smile Snatchers” to the children of Gaza, amid concerns over the Gaza ceasefire and Israel’s past ceasefire violations.

The dedication ceremony for Rabbani’s award-winning short novel took place at the Arts Council of Karachi, attended by notable figures including Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. The novel highlights the plight of children in war-torn regions.

Chairman Bilawal welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement, expressing Pakistan’s solidarity with Palestinians. He remarked on the global visibility of the Gaza conflict and the humanitarian toll it has taken, particularly on children, medical personnel, and journalists. He called for addressing the famine in Gaza.

Highlighting Sindh’s achievements, Bilawal emphasized the success of the Special Economic Zone in Khairpur and the Public-Private Partnership initiatives, both recognized internationally. He noted the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases’ free medical services and the introduction of CyberKnife technology for cancer treatment in Karachi.

Bilawal shared that global leaders have shown interest in replicating Pakistan’s Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), which was pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 floods. The Sindh government’s housing initiative for flood-affected families, transferring ownership to women, was also praised.

He acknowledged the support of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during the 2022 floods, underscoring the collaborative efforts in overcoming challenges.