Bilawal addresses supporters in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto. PHOTO: NUDERO HOUSE
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Friday that there was no recourse except to battle terrorism in the country as he opened a new front against political adversaries like Imran Khan whom he accused of backing militants.
“The only way to save Pakistan is to battle terrorism ... and the only party standing against terrorism is the PPP (Pakistan People’s Party),” PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Friday.
He also announced that “Benazir’s children will enter politics before the 2018 general elections”.
At the sixth death anniversary of his slain mother, Benazir Bhutto, in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on Friday, people expected something grander from Bilawal as he had turned 25. They were hoping, for example, that the party’s central executive committee would name him party chairman or that he would announce his decision to contest the by-elections and by virtue of that qualify for a parliament seat. But the young Bilawal wasn’t quite done with the verbal jabs against his foes – which have been seen and heard before. The insults came thick and fast, as he pummelled rival parties and opponents with his arsenal of political jibes, some even low blows.
His remarks against the Taliban were full of sound and fury. He was unforgiving in his criticism of their policies and thundered against them like never before. For the better part, it seemed more of an attempt to please his Western audience than address the concerns of the Pakistani electorate.
He rejected all possibilities of talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and called them inhuman and savage. “How can we talk to those who shed the nation’s blood?”
They were killing innocent men, women and children without reason, he said, adding, they are attacking mosques without considering that copies of the Holy Quran are reduced to ashes when they strike with bomb blasts and arson attacks. TTP must accept the Constitution of Pakistan and lay down their arms, he said.
“They killed my mother and attacked the innocent schoolgirl, Malala [Yousafzai]. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said to do whatever you can to seek knowledge, even if you have to travel to China. Then how do these men call themselves Muslims?” Terrorists are not Muslims, but are “kaafir” (non-believers), he claimed.
The Taliban were the creation of military dictator Ziaul Haq whose own protégé Nawaz Sharif is the incumbent prime minister, Bilawal said.
Switching his attention to the premier, he said the owner of the tiger [election symbol] wanted to be called khalifa like Mullah Umar. “But now the tiger has to prove that it has changed its stripes and wants to do something for the people.”
He offered to resolve differences with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) if Nawaz Sharif takes on the Taliban and the extremists. He urged the party to “stop providing shelter to the Taliban in Punjab”. If so, he promised to laud the tiger and sing his praises; if not, then he would chant, “dehshatgardon ka jo yar hai, ghadaar hai, ghadaar hai (the friend of terrorists is a traitor)”.
He didn’t spare Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf either. Maintaining the premise of his speech, he berated PTI chief Imran Khan for blocking the Nato supply lines after the killing of TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud. Terrorism is not taking place because of drone strikes, he said, while chiding Imran. In an attempt to ridicule the party, he said “A tsunami cannot be brought by pouring water into four lotas.”
Condemning the terrorist activities in the country, he announced to start a jihad against these elements and vowed that he will emerge victorious.
Questioning the credibility of the 2013 general elections, he claimed that the polls were rigged on a massive scale to keep the PPP out of the arena. Bilawal did not hesitate as he played the provincial card and condemned the “Punjab-based establishment” for conducting the rigging.
Zardari keeps it brief
Speaking briefly, former president and co-chairman of the party, Asif Ali Zardari, said he only accepted the results of the general elections to ensure a democratic transitionwas made. He “prayed for the present government to not only complete its term but also raise the foreign reserves to $100 billion.” Alluding to Pervez Musharraf, he said the former military ruler is now facing cases and he would pay the price. “A ‘billa’ has been trapped today and he should not be freed,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2013.
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@Crazy Canuck: "I find it odd that the party that so staunchly believes in democracy, doesn’t practice that within their own ranks to elect party leadership."
See, politics is like faith; you preach it but you don't have to practice it!
Another martyr in making; another 5 years presidential term secured! Brilliant politics.
Bravo! The only leader on national level to speak with such a clarity gainst talibans!
Basically, PP and Pmln are the same
Says it all. Another puppet of the west as if Nawaz Sharif & Zardari were not enough.
Joke with this nation, unless this dynasty politics stop, hard to see a better future of Pakistan. He is old enough to have only a pacifier, unfortunate to see this is the best PPP has to offer for leadership. I don't understand that why they can't have likes of Aitizaz Ahsan lead rather than an immature kid who has lived in Pakistan which can measured in days.He is calling names to Imran Khan who is a national hero even if you disagree with his politics. Before calling anyone coward, you need to leave the nest that you live in baby bird. Easy to act brave when you live outside the country and when visiting move in fortified castles while poor,ignorant masses shed their blood for you. The day you do something to lift the poor masses of Sindhi, you will earn a moral ground to say anything. Media should also play a role in discouraging dynasty politics rather than promoting it, in fact they are always busy in criticizing the only evolving democratic party. Remember, when you were living in the chateau built by your dad with looted money of this poor country, IK was building institutions like Shaukat Khanum and Namal.
I find it odd that the party that so staunchly believes in democracy, doesn't practice that within their own ranks to elect party leadership.
Appreciate Bilwal's bold stand on Talibans, however, speech could have used more of policy stance and less of shallow political theatrics
@rizwan: Blamning politics is a part of PPP's charter.
Why is he wearing a ring on his left hand ring finger? Is he engaged??
I like this guy.
Live long...and defeat the Taliban.
There is no other qualified person in PPP except from Bhutto or Zardari family? I hope PPP does not become inherited property for this family. If it does then over period of time it will be known by different groups. Second point. Since Mr Bilawal is just starting into politics, he should declare his assets in writing . This way public will know he is not corrupt. The list must include assets both in Pakistan and foreign countries.
He started politics through blame game. It would have been better if he had apologized for mismanagement and corruption of PPP govt that put country on the verge of collapse.
What type of journalism is this ET?
"For the better part, it seemed more of an attempt to please his Western audience than address the concerns of the Pakistani electorate."
Bravo! No politician has guts to use such kind of harsh tone against taliban.