In NA budget debate, PPP chairman welcomes US-Iran deal, renews call for UK constitutional rights
Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari speaks on the floor of the National Assembly. SCREEN GRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday strongly defended Benazir’s Income Support Program (BISP), describing it as an economic and national security initiative, calling criticism of the scheme “deplorable and shameful”.
Speaking during the National Assembly’s debate on the FY2026-27 federal budget, Bilawal said the success of the program had been recognized by international institutions and argued that it should be expanded rather than curtailed.
“Targeting Benazir’s income support program is deplorable and shameful,” he said. “The work of Benazir’s income support program is recognized by international institutions. The world says this is a successful program.”
Bilawal welcomed the government’s decision to increase BISP allocations in the upcoming budget and said the PPP would continue to defend the program regardless of political opposition.
“BISP is an economic and national security program,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s economy could achieve sustainable growth only through greater investment in social protection policies.
Arguing that economic progress was inseparable from social justice, he said Pakistan’s development depended on improving the lives of workers and farmers. “The economy of Pakistan will develop only when the worker makes progress,” he said. “When the farmer develops, Pakistan’s agriculture develops.”
Bilawal also criticized Pakistan’s reliance on loans, noting that the country continued to rely on loans to finance its budget and repay existing debts.
The PPP chairman also welcomed the recent US-Iran peace deal and praised Pakistan’s leadership for its role in promoting regional stability.
He said Pakistan had repeatedly witnessed the economic cost of instability and insecurity, which was why the country consistently advocated dialogue and peaceful solutions to conflicts.
“We have experienced the economic consequences of insecure situations. That is why Pakistan always promotes peace,” he said, describing peace as both a moral and economic imperative. “When there is stability in the region, investments increase. When there is peace, young people get employment and the country moves forward.”
Bilawal said that while the international community appeared to be moving towards peace, Pakistan must now focus on development and economic growth.
However, he warned that regional challenges remain, citing security concerns along the Afghan border, India’s threats of “Operation Sindoor 2.0” and New Delhi’s stance on the Indus Waters Treaty. “I can say with pride that Pakistan has responded to the challenge of political unity and democratic tradition,” he said.
Bilawal noted that the federal and provincial governments had agreed to jointly shoulder the burden of increased defense and national security requirements despite fiscal constraints imposed under the IMF program.
He said the provinces had repeatedly sacrificed development spending to support national economic stability and maintain necessary budget surpluses.
“Punjab showed a profit of Rs700 billion last year and Rs900 billion this year,” he said. “Punjab could have spent this money in Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan, but the provinces are not using these funds to support the national economy.”
Referring to the merged tribal districts, Bilawal said the commitments made to the erstwhile FATA were yet to be fulfilled.
He also acknowledged the support of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, noting that despite political differences, it had agreed to contribute to national defense requirements under the arrangement reached between the federation and the provinces.
Later in his speech, Bilawal thanked the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) for their support and noted that the PPP had secured 11 seats in the region. He described the people of GB as among Pakistan’s most patriotic citizens and reiterated his commitment to protect their political and constitutional rights.
Bilawal said the people of GB had historically freed themselves from Dogra rule and acceded to Pakistan, but continued to face unresolved constitutional issues. “Those who freed themselves from Dogra rule, how long can they be kept deprived of constitutional rights?” he asked.
He called for serious consideration of GB’s long-standing constitutional claims and suggested temporary representation for the region in Parliament. The OPP chairman emphasized that the issue required national consensus and collective political agreement to ensure a lasting solution.
This story is being updated.
