QUETTA, in a significant address during the 56th foundation day of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in Quetta, the party’s President and former President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, highlighted the central role of Balochistan in the nation’s progress. He stressed the necessity of unifying the country to achieve greatness and the importance of providing Balochistan with essential resources like water for Pakistan to become an exporting nation.

According to Pakistan People’s Party, Zardari, in his speech at the grand public meeting, reiterated that Balochistan is the heart of Pakistan and emphasized the need for healing and development in the region. He recalled his time in prison, where he dreamt of a prosperous Pakistan, echoing the vision of ‘Quaid-e-Awam’ to transform the country into a prominent nation on the world map.

Zardari criticized the central government’s negligence towards Balochistan, stating that the PPP recognizes and prioritizes the province as the country’s heart. He acknowledged the challenges and sorrow within Balochistan, expressing the need for continued efforts to address them. During his tenure, he mentioned attempts to alleviate some of these issues but admitted that much more needs to be done.

Focusing on Balochistan’s rich resources, Zardari vowed to make the people of Balochistan the owners of their land and resources, such as gas, petrol, and minerals. He highlighted the crucial need to supply water to the province to enhance its agricultural potential, which he claimed is more fertile than other parts of Pakistan.

In his speech, Zardari also lauded the achievements of his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the country’s youngest foreign minister. He expressed pride in Bilawal’s emerging independent identity on the global stage, separate from the legacies of his family. Zardari encouraged continuous support for Bilawal, envisioning him as a leader for the present and future.

Responding to chants from the crowd calling for Bilawal to become Prime Minister, Zardari recited an Urdu poem signifying the voice of the people as the voice of God, expressing hope that this aspiration would soon be realized.