PPP will bury the old politics: Bilawal

GARHI KHUDA BAKHSH/ISLAMABAD, Dec 27 (SABAH): Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday kick-started his party’s campaign for the February 8 elections, unveiling a 10-point agenda with an emphasis on welfare schemes. He said that PPP will bury the old politics.

Addressing a party’s gathering in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the 16th death anniversary of his mother Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal Bhutto presented the party’s election agenda ahead of the upcoming polls slated for February 8, 2024.

Apart from pledging major policy reforms focusing on the people’s welfare, the PPP chief, without taking any names, fired a fresh salvo against political opponent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Without taking any names, the former foreign minister said that there are those who are relying on “others” for the upcoming polls, in the same manner they had done so in the past.

Continuing his tirade against his political opponents, Bilawal Bhutto said that there are those who are relying on “others” for the upcoming polls, in the same manner they had done so in the past.

Reiterating his resolve to contest the elections regardless of the challenges, the PPP chairman said that he would face his political opponents in Lahore. “I had told my team that I wanted to contest from Lahore. I’ll take the battle to Lahore. Let’s see what happens,” he said.

“Is it Lahore’s destiny that the same person will be installed for the fourth time?” Bilawal said while taking a jibe at the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, who is eying a record-fourth term as the country’s prime minister.

“Our paths are different with that of those we were in government for 16 months,” Bilawal said while referring to the PML-N-led Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government of which the PPP was a key part.

The PPP chief assured of giving “a befitting response” to their opponents in Lahore in the polls.

On the issue of the party’s candidacy for the prime ministership, Bilawal said that he would seek the support of PPP and Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) — headed by his father Asif Ali Zardari — for contesting the polls as the party’s candidate for the prime ministership. He asked the participants of the gathering to respond his question.

Pledging to introduce policies that prioritise people’s welfare, Bilawal announced a 10-point agenda, which his party is to enforce if they are voted into power by the people in the upcoming polls.

Here are the key pledges Bilawal made regarding his party’s commitments if elected:

Doubling salaries within five years.

Providing 300 units of free solar energy for the impoverished and establishing green energy parks in every district.

Initiating educational projects to ensure universal access to education.

Implementing free healthcare nationwide.

Constructing three million homes for flood victims and underprivileged individuals.

Expanding the reach of BISP (Benazir Income Support Programme) and introducing additional welfare initiatives.

Introducing a program similar to BISP for farmers along with the ‘Hari Card.’

Strengthening support for labourers through the Benazir Mazdoor Card.

Launching a ‘Youth Card’ to assist unemployed young people and establishing ‘Youth Markaz.’

Implementing the ‘Bhook Mitao Programme’ to alleviate hunger.

Bilawal Bhutto said, “The time has come to form a government of the Pakistan People’s Party in the country. The solution to inflation, poverty, and unemployment is present in the manifesto of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. We are ready to contest the elections. It is our demand to hold fair elections. We won’t be like those who manipulate election dates and snatch nomination papers. This time, too, we will stand firm and fight till we win.”

He stated that this is the message for the other political parties to come and contest the elections. “We will bury the politics of hatred,” said the PPP chairman.

“We are not running away from any challenge. There is a need for seriousness for the difficulties Pakistan is facing today. If we have to tackle inflation and counter terrorism, we have to leave behind our internal disputes,” said Bilawal.

Meanwhile former president and PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, during his address, reiterated his commitment to safeguarding the rights of the people. “Pakistan is not a poor country; it is Islamabad that is the poorest. The issues lie not in Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, or Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa but in the mindset of those seated in Islamabad,” he said.

Asif Ali Zardari underlined the disconnect between politicians and the struggles of the common man. “Politicians are preoccupied with the promises made during election campaigns, oblivious to the hardships faced by the impoverished class,” he stated.

Crediting his party for the restoration of the 1973 Constitution, Asif Zardari defended his political legacy, stating, “No one can accuse me of switching sides. Public issues can only be resolved by politicians.”

The former president expressed commitment to fulfilling promises made by Bilawal, saying, “Together, we will fulfill all the promises made by Bilawal. Let us be patient and considerate; we will build Pakistan. Many have come and gone, but today, we only remember Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.”

Meanwhile the 16th Death Anniversary of former Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was observed on Wednesday.

A large number of PPP workers and leaders from across the country reached Garhi Khuda Bakhsh in Larkana district, where the main event of the day was held.

They paid tribute to Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto for their great sacrifices for the cause of democracy and the country.

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was martyred on this day in 2007, when she was leaving the premises after her address to a big public gathering at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, security arrangements were tightened to maintain law and order situation on the occasion.

Sindh government had announced a public holiday in the province on Wednesday.

In his message on 16th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was the first democratically elected woman prime minister of the Islamic world as well as an esteemed international leader.

He said the “Daughter of the East” stands not only as a historical figure but as a living movement and a radiant torch.

In his statement, Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf said the sacrifice rendered by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto for the restoration and strengthening of democracy in the country would always be remembered in the political annals of history.

Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has paid a rich tribute to former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed for her supreme sacrifice against violent extremism.

In a post on social media platform X, he said the 16th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto is a cruel reminder for all of us that violent extremism in all its manifestations, shades, colours and ideologies remains an existential threat for our country. Murtaza Solangi further said that it is a long war but with the blessing of Allah Almighty, we shall win it.