‘King of reconciliation’: Bilawal says Zardari alone can end political polarisation

GARI KHUDA BAKSH (Web Desk) —  Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday stressed the need for political reconciliation to steer the country out of its political and economic crises, saying President Asif Ali Zardari was the only leader capable of ending deepening polarisation.

Addressing a public gathering to mark the 18th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal said: “There is one person who can take Pakistan out of political polarisation — the king of reconciliation — and that person is Asif Ali Zardari.”

He warned that political polarisation was harming democracy, the economy and national security, adding that resolving the political crisis would automatically help address economic challenges. “If Pakistan is to be pulled out of the political crisis, it will also emerge from the economic crisis,” he said.

Emphasising dialogue over confrontation, the PPP chairman said solutions to the country’s problems lay in political engagement. He urged opposition parties to pursue responsible politics and called on ruling parties to act in accordance with national interest.

Recalling the turmoil that followed Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, Bilawal said the country had been on the brink of disintegration amid chants of “Pakistan na khappay”. “It was Asif Ali Zardari who saved the federation by raising the slogan of ‘Pakistan khappay’ and by removing a dictator,” he said.

Paying tribute to his mother’s legacy, Bilawal said Benazir Bhutto had rejected the politics of revenge and extremism even in the most difficult circumstances. “Bibi never asked for revenge. Her final message was reconciliation,” he said, noting that her last book also centred on political harmony.

The PPP chairman cautioned that political extremism was once again gaining ground and urged all sides to refrain from attacking state institutions. Referring to the events of May 9, 2023, following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan, he said such incidents fell outside the bounds of democratic politics.

Touching on regional security, Bilawal praised Pakistan’s armed forces for what he described as a decisive response to Indian aggression earlier this year. “In May, our armed forces defeated India. This victory belongs to the entire nation,” he said, also lauding the role of the Pakistan Air Force.

He claimed India was still struggling to accept the outcome of the confrontation, remarking that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “vanished from the global stage” since the episode.

Bilawal also credited President Zardari with strengthening Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China, saying he had laid the foundation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and facilitated defence cooperation that bolstered Pakistan’s deterrence.

On constitutional issues, he defended the 27th Constitutional Amendment, calling it a victory for the people and in line with the vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. He said the PPP opposed controversial amendments but supported reforms aligned with national interest, including the establishment of a constitutional court.

Greater provincial autonomy

Addressing economic governance, Bilawal reiterated the PPP’s demand for greater provincial autonomy, arguing that provinces should be empowered rather than stripped of authority. “If provinces are empowered, we can collect more taxes than the FBR,” he said, calling for taxation reforms in coordination with provincial governments.

He also called for the devolution of electricity distribution companies such as Sepco, Hesco and Fesco, saying provinces were better positioned to manage them efficiently.

While acknowledging that inflation remained a major concern, Bilawal said it had declined compared to the previous PTI government, though he conceded that the public had yet to feel the impact.

Highlighting the Sindh government’s initiatives, he said free and quality healthcare was being provided across the province, including specialised treatment at NICVD and Gambat Institute. He added that two million homes were being built for flood victims, with ownership rights granted to affected women.

Bilawal thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for declaring an agricultural emergency on the PPP’s recommendation, saying the move had provided relief to farmers.

He concluded by urging both the government and the opposition to prioritise national interest over political point-scoring. “The federation survives when politics is based on reconciliation, not revenge,” he said.