Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari speaks at the inauguration of the newly constructed Outpatient Department (OPD) block at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). Photo: Express
LAHORE:
Sensing political fragilities in the all-important Punjab province, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday treaded carefully as he spoke of dwindling room for allies and lack of resources available to the governor’s house, but at the same time showered praise on the provincial government led by Punjab Chief Minister Mary Nawaz.
Speaking during an interaction with media bureau chiefs and bigwigs, the PPP chairman backed moves aimed at creating another province in Punjab, while deflecting questions regarding new provinces in Sindh and elsewhere, saying new provinces should be created first where political consensus already exists, instead of launching an ambitious drive to establish “20 new provinces”.
The PPP chairman pointed out that consensus already existed in the National Assembly on the creation of new provinces.
The Bhutto scion is in the provincial capital on a four-day visit where he is expected to shake up the party’s organizational decks in Punjab by unveiling a major reorganization of its district and divisional chapters. The reshuffle is expected to give new responsibilities to 63 party workers at the district and divisional levels.
“Before making 20 new provinces, the agreed provinces should be created first,” Bilawal said, adding that if proposals already made were to be implemented, they should be acted upon immediately. “The work that needed to happen is already underway.”
He pointed out that the Punjab Assembly had passed a resolution creating a new province and introduced a local government system, but said Sindh’s local government framework remained stronger in comparison.
Bilawal also said that a single parliament could reasonably pass two constitutional amendments, but beyond that there was little room. “The constitution is not a document meant to be amended repeatedly,” he said.
Asked if he intended to become prime minister, Bilawal replied that he would take office if the public voted for him. When pressed further on whether he would become Prime Minister under the current circumstances, he jokingly raised his hands to his ears and let out a laugh.
Without naming the PML-N-led government in Punjab, Bilawal said allies in Punjab should also have political space and clarified that PPP had no intention of taking ministries in Punjab at present.
He continued his veiled criticism of Maryam Nawaz’s government, saying that if a Local Government Act had been passed in Sindh on the cusp of the elections, people would have taken him to task.
The passing of a new law helped the government push back the local body elections to a later date.
When asked why he did not spend more time in Punjab, a weak point of the party that needs attention, he said he had suggested that his political rivals appoint their own governor in Sindh and visit the province, but regretted that they did not. “We are coming to Punjab, but it is still not tolerated,” he said.
When asked about banning PTI, Bilawal stressed that reconciliation was the only way forward for the country amid rising political tensions, saying political stability could not be achieved without dialogue and compromise.
“If reconciliation happens, everyone will have to unite so that political stability improves,” he said, warning that an environment where political actors could not even talk to each other would only exacerbate crises, especially when instability arose in a province.
Bilawal said he had no personal differences with Imran Khan, though he disagreed with his methods.
“Reconciliation is necessary, everyone must come together so that we can move towards political stability.”
Referring to the 2022 no-confidence vote that ousted PTI founder Imran Khan from power, Bilawal said the PPP had introduced it for the first time in Pakistan’s history and successfully sent home a sitting prime minister.
Accusing the PTI of maintaining a persistent confrontational attitude, he said its approach continued to burden not only the party itself but the entire system.
He claimed that governance had failed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under PTI’s control and warned that if such conditions continued, the prospects for political reconciliation would diminish further. “When the PPP is ready to take a step forward, the situation on the other side worsens,” he said.
Bilawal also touched on political tolerance, recalling that he had visited Nawaz Sharif in Kot Lakhpat jail, but after he was released, the attacks resumed. “It doesn’t sit well with some people,” he said, lamenting that while he refrained from criticizing anyone during visits to Punjab, restraint was often not reciprocated.
He said he had suggested that his political rivals appoint their own governor in Sindh and visit the province, but regretted that they did not. “We are coming to Punjab, but it is still not tolerated,” he said.
Responding to a question he visited Nawaz Sharif at Kot Lakhpat, he also wanted to go to Adiala, Bilawal replied, “Yes, I went to meet Nawaz Sharif, but as soon as he came out, he attacked us in a rally.”
He said that Punjab Governor lacked powers or resources but Sardar Saleem Haider is still working very well with dedication.
Despite his hushed complaints, he praised Maryam Nawaz and said the Punjab Chief Minister is also doing a good job.
