Urges the government to use BISP, saying, “If a mini-budget is needed, we will support it” to deal with the crisis
Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Photo: X/PPP
Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Saturday that the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the US and Iran is placing an economic burden on Pakistan, saying: “The burden of the war between Iran, the US and Israel is borne by every Pakistani.”
Speaking at a gathering marking the 47th birthday of former prime minister and PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Bilawal described the war against Iran as “illegal” and condemned the deaths of several people, as well as the killing of schoolgirls in an attack on an educational institution.
He warned that “some forces believe in hatred and division,” adding that the conflict had begun to engulf the wider world. “There are fears that this war could spread globally as its effects are no longer limited to Iran,” he said.
Today, we proudly remember the leader of the nation, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutton, who laid the foundations of Pakistan’s nuclear program, and thanks to his foresight and courageous decisions, Pakistan is afraid to raise its eyes towards the enemy of Pakistan… pic.twitter.com/gz9DRFVPjz
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) April 4, 2026
Bilawal stressed that “war is not the solution to any problem” and expressed hope for an early end to hostilities. He added that countries targeting Iran, Palestine and Lebanon “cannot cast an evil eye on Pakistan.”
Calling for economic relief, he urged the government to use the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to support citizens during the crisis, adding: “If a mini-budget is needed, we will support it.”
He said both federal and provincial governments were redistributing funds to provide relief, noting that the Sindh government was planning to launch financial assistance to small farmers through a “Kisan Card” scheme.
Bilawal said the country was facing “historic inflation and crisis”, adding that the provincial authorities would introduce measures to ease the burden on citizens, especially farmers and motorcycle users. He urged small farmers and motorcycle owners to register for upcoming support programs and warned that the duration of the crisis remained uncertain.
He said relief would be provided to registered motorcycle owners and urged citizens to ensure their vehicles were registered under their own names and National Identity Card numbers, adding that transfer fees had been waived.
Amid economic difficulties, he said the government would financially support public and private transport services to prevent fare hikes while coordinating with the federal government to provide relief to transporters affected by rising diesel prices.
Sindh government’s measure
بنظیر کاسان کارد کو کتو کیسان کو مالی آشباء سبحان کی کی کی کی ک دیزل, پتورول و کیں کیں کے کے کے پاکستان کی کے کے شاباد د کے This step of the government of Sindh is a sign that farmers are the first… pic.twitter.com/Yw3tpbNTTj
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) April 4, 2026
Bilawal said all provinces would contribute resources to a federal fund aimed at supporting carriers and stabilizing fares, but acknowledged that such measures may be insufficient given the scale of the crisis.
He urged the federal government to expand the BISP and said his party would support any move to increase its budget.
Bilawal also thanked the Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for their cooperation and stressed the need for political consensus. “In such circumstances, national interests must take priority over politics,” he said.
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He added that leaders across provinces, including Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh, were taking steps to provide relief. “If there is unity in Pakistan, no force in the world can defeat or divide us. Our generation will overcome this ordeal – God willing, victory will be for the people and peace,” he said.
