KARACHI: Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed grave reservations about the ongoing census on Sunday, saying his party supported digital enumeration but objected to how it was being carried out.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the seed subsidy scheme for farmers at the Chief Minister House, Bilawal warned the Centre that it must fulfil its promise to the flood-affected population or the PPP will leave the government.
The PPP can support a scientific and real census, but will not support this methodology. “We cannot support such a census,” Bilawal told the ceremony. However, he added that the Centre “has no solution to our objections”.
He added that Sindh was the only province that had objections over the census. “I will talk to the Centre about the census. If there are any irregularities, we will not accept them [results],” the PPP chief said.
“We raised objections against the 2017 census,” he continued. “There was a big difference in the numbers of Sindh and other provinces. If the federal government did not see to the PPP’s objections this time, Sindh will not support it.”
The PPP chief also urged the federal government led by Shehbaz Sharif to keep the promises made to the people of Sindh during the floods. He warned that if the flood victims’ promises were not kept, the PPP would struggle to survive.
“A positive message will be sent if the federation keeps the flood victims of Sindh and Punjab on its priority list. If the Centre does not fulfil its promises made to the flood victims, the people will ask us questions,” he said.
“In such a situation, it will be very difficult to hold on to our ministry. Therefore, the matter will be raised in the federal cabinet and the National Assembly,” Bilawal told the ceremony. “The Sindh government is helping the flood victims.”
Bilawal Bhutto termed inflation the biggest problem facing the country, he further added that the law and order situation was also alarming. However, he expressed his optimism that the PPP could resolve these issues.
“The real issues have to be resolved,” he said. “The PPP is endeavouring for the revival of economy, and generating employment. The Peoples Party has the solution to the economic challenges facing the country.”
He emphasised Pakistan’s agricultural importance, calling for increased investment in this sector. He added that if the agricultural sector is not supported, the country will be unable to meet its agricultural needs.
“How can we meet our needs, if the agriculture sector is not supported? If they will not invest in agriculture, how will Pakistan become an agricultural country? For economic improvement, focus should be on the agriculture sector.”
Bilawal ridiculed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for his divisive and divisive politics. He stated, without naming him, that a “political rat is hiding under the bed” at Zaman Park.
“A rat has pain in his leg, running around,” he said. “Politicians like Khan Sahib brought division and hatred in politics. Instead of the political rat, we need to focus on the economy,” the PPP chairman added.
Bilawal Bhutto concluded his speech by saying that high inflation had affected every segment of society. He also stated that the PPP had no beef with the “selectors,” but rather was working to restore the economy.
