Khuzdar, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in a passionate address in Khuzdar, Balochistan, declared that only the PPP has the resolve and capability to address the internal challenges of Pakistan while standing up to external pressures. He accused former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of derailing the development initiatives for Balochistan initiated by President Asif Ali Zardari through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), stifling the province’s progress towards prosperity.
According to Pakistan Peoples Party, during his speech at a large public gathering as part of the election campaign, Bilawal articulated his vision for a prosperous Balochistan and a united Pakistan. He emphasized that his and the PPP’s potential leadership positions are seen as threats by those who oppose the development and autonomy of Balochistan, asserting his unique connection with the province through familial and political ties.
Bilawal highlighted the PPP’s commitment to politics without discrimination, fighting for the rights of the people without fear or subservience. He lamented the incomplete implementation of the 18th Amendment, NFC Award, and The Aghaz-e-Huaqook-e-Balochistan Programme, which he believes could have countered the conspiracies surrounding Balochistan. Addressing the acute issues of unemployment, poverty, and inflation plaguing Balochistan, he affirmed the PPP’s dedication to combating these challenges.
The chairman recounted recent terrorist attacks on PPP candidates, suggesting these were attempts to intimidate the party. Despite these threats, he maintained that the PPP remains undeterred, promising a “rain of Arrows” – the party’s symbol – in Balochistan in the upcoming elections.
Bilawal extended a personal message to the women and youth of Balochistan, pledging to serve and represent them as a son and a contemporary, emphasizing a long-standing relationship spanning three generations. He criticized the current political leadership for the economic downturn, rising terrorism, inflation, unemployment, and poverty, attributing these issues to the governance of politicians from Lahore.
His manifesto includes reducing the federal government’s size by abolishing 17 ministries, reallocating funds towards public welfare, eliminating elite subsidies, doubling salaries, enhancing the Benazir Income Support Program, providing interest-free business loans to women, constructing affordable housing, offering free solar energy, and introducing financial assistance cards for various societal segments.
Bilawal’s appeal to the people of Balochistan was to reject the politics of terrorism and injustice, invoking the peaceful foundation of Pakistan by Quaid-e-Azam. He vowed to address the issue of missing persons and called for democratic engagement over force, signaling a commitment to solving Pakistan’s internal conflicts through dialogue and understanding, while also promising to foster positive relations with neighboring countries.