NASEERABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari promised on Sunday that if his party comes to power, he will address Sindh and Balochistan’s water concerns.
The PPP chairman blamed other administrations for the water scarcity in Sindh and Balochistan while speaking at a political gathering in Tamboo Tehsil of Balochistan’s Naseerabad district. “We do not beg anyone; rather, we demand our rights, and we know how to reclaim our rights,” he stated. He compared the solution to Balochistan’s water problems to those of Sindh’s.
He claimed that no one has been subjected to as much oppression as the people of Balochistan, but that their patriotism has not waned. He contrasted this with his family’s legacy, emphasising how they continue to raise slogans for Pakistan’s betterment. He stated that his party has always acted in the best interests of the Pakistani people. “When Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto donated free agricultural land to poor farmers across the country, he also distributed 500,000 acres of agricultural land to the farmers of Naseerabad, and he also built the groundwork for the water supply infrastructure in the areas,” he continued.
He recalled how his mother, Benazir Bhutto, had called for a sit-in at the Sindh-Punjab border when an attempt was made to harm the Indus River’s lower riparian. He also recounted how his mother used to remark that “we would accomplish this dream” of providing better services to the people of Nasirabad.
He claims that if PPP can develop world-class hospitals like as NICVD, SIUT, and Gambit Institute in Jacobabad, Larkana, Sukkur, and Gambat, as well as the surrounding areas of Naseerabad, it will be able to give free healthcare to the people of Naseerabad. He further stated that once the system is in place, people will no longer require a health card.
He stated that his party has previously worked for poverty elimination, citing the fact that 70% of Naseerabad’s population lives in poverty. In comparison, he said, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s policies have increased poverty and inflation. He went on to say that, while his party’s founder advocated for “food, cloth, and housing,” Prime Minister Imran is “snatching” it from the people. He went on to say that the premier “attacked the people’s vote, stomach, and pockets.”
The PPP head called the premier a “puppet” and challenged the government, saying he intended to inform the “regime” that the “PPP has now joined the political arena.” He announced a “war against the selected” and sought for help from Balochistan’s youth. “I am also young like them, upset, and have suffered greatly, but democracy is the solution to all of our issues,” he remarked. “We’ll fight together; we believe in the power of the vote, not the weapon; give me a chance; believe in the People’s Party.”
He stated that his party believes in federalism and that if given the opportunity, they will ensure that Balochistan receives its full rights. People have lost faith in the present government, according to Bilawal, and it is time for parliament to do the same. He claimed that defeating the “chosen administration” in a democratic manner in the same National Assembly (NA) that granted it power would be “democracy’s payback.”
Regarding the planned anti-government march, he stated that the PPP is prepared to carry out its programme and will depart Karachi for Islamabad on February 27. “It’s time for the chosen administration to be terrified and explain its justifications,” he continued. Sardar Ghulam Rasool Umrani, a local politician, formally proclaimed his membership in the party during the event.
Separately, Bilawal asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to appeal the postponement of the second phase of local body elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the Supreme Court (K-P). He stated in a statement that the panel should petition the Supreme Court for quick elections. He said that Prime Minister Imran was “running away” from the polls following the first phase’s defeat by postponing them under the excuse of inclement weather.
He went on to say that PTI would not be allowed to avoid the polls, and that the people of K-P will continue to hold the premier accountable for his “corruption” and “incompetence.”
