Islamabad: Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, addressed the National Assembly during the budget session, highlighting the recent US-Iran agreement as a significant step towards regional and global peace. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy over conflict and confrontation.
According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari for their commitment to peace and praised the armed forces for their leadership and defense of the nation. He discussed the heavy toll war has taken on Pakistan, stressing the country's dedication to peace as both a moral obligation and an economic imperative. Bilawal highlighted ongoing security challenges from neighboring regions, including threats from India and issues with Afghanistan.
Bilawal underscored the need for political consensus and democratic values in addressing national security and economic challenges. He clarified that recent governmental measures, including financial grants, were constitutional and necessary to meet defense needs. He expressed gratitude to government officials for maintaining the NFC Award for provinces and dismissed speculation about the abolition of the 18th Amendment or the discontinuation of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
Bilawal defended the BISP, noting its global recognition and essential role in alleviating poverty. He advocated for expanding the program, linking economic progress to supporting the less fortunate. He also called for joint efforts between federal and provincial governments to develop growth-oriented economic policies.
Addressing regional issues, Bilawal voiced concerns about the Israel-India nexus and its potential impact on Pakistan. He urged for unity in safeguarding national interests and emphasized the importance of addressing domestic challenges through consensus and dialogue. In Kashmir, he called for political solutions to ongoing issues and emphasized the need for Kashmiri representation in the national legislature.
Bilawal highlighted the strategic potential of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the importance of prioritizing projects that benefit underdeveloped areas. He concluded by urging for innovative solutions to Pakistan's water and agricultural challenges, reaffirming the country's commitment to the Indus Water Treaty and long-term regional cooperation.