Dark reign imposed on the masses: Bilawal

PPP chairman says foreign policy is directionless, economy is headed towards collapse

GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Firing a broadside at the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said a dark reign has been imposed on the masses where the foreign policy is directionless and the economy is headed towards collapse.

“What kind of a Naya Pakistan is this where there is neither respect for others, nor tolerance and even the parliamentary tradition is disregarded,” said the PPP chairman while addressing a huge gathering at the Shahi Polo Ground in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on Sunday.

The young chairman was accompanied by PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Mustafa Nawaz Khokar, PPP G-B President Amjad Advocate and others.

“We will stand in the way of those who want to destroy the old Pakistan,” vowed Bilawal, taunting the “deduction of Rs4 billion in the development budget of G-B” as “start of change”.



“PPP will continue struggling for the rights, development and welfare of G-B,” said Bilawal. “People are drowning in the tsunami of inflation and farmers are in a sorry state, whereas not even 100 days have passed and the government has taken 100 U-turns.

“The ones who preferred committing suicide instead of taking loans, are now distributing sweets on obtaining loans. They want to lay the foundation stone of Naya Pakistan with hatred.”

Continuing with his diatribe, Bilawal said, “If they [the government ministers] get time from disrespecting others, they will be able to think about economic development.

“Food has been snatched from the poor. Rs10 roti and Rs15 naan, this is the Naya Pakistan, hats off to Imran.

“Besides squabbling, they know nothing. They are rejoicing that they have conquered the country even though through rigging. The government that came into being through stolen mandate has come down to stubbornness. They are trampling others’ respect.

“Neither can they handle the economy nor run the government.”

Bilawal further said, “The so-called Pakistanis have shaken the very foundation of Pakistan. We will not let Pakistan become an experimental laboratory for them. Everyone has seen Naya Pakistan’s sketch.

“Promise was made for 10 million jobs. Instead of providing new jobs, they are snatching them. They were supposed to build five million houses, but are depriving millions of people of their homes on the pretext of being illegal. Where will the people, who have been living for 20 to 30 years, go? What to earn? What to eat? Before rendering them homeless, at least preparations should have been made beforehand to provide roofs over their heads.”



Shedding light on the history of his relations with G-B, Bilawal said, “I have a relationship of three generations with this valley. I have inherited the love for this valley from my grandfather and mother. I have come for the first time with the passion for reviving this love relationship, one which Bhutto made, Mohtarma carried on and Zardari kept. I also promise to keep this relationship. I will not let it break. My struggle is for your rights. I believe that the people of G-B will support me the same way they supported Bhutto and Mohtarma.”

He said, “It is saddening that the previous government, during its five years’ tenure, attacked the rights of the people of G-B. Was the promise of providing G-B Rs41 billion fulfilled? Has the Gilgit-Skardu road been made? Was the promise of education and development fulfilled? No. None of these promises were fulfilled.”

He further said, “We will not allow the constitutional right of G-B be sabotaged. Chief court will be given the status of high court. We will protect the interest of Gilgit in CPEC. The way it was neglected, we will make up for it. We will make certain of equitable royalty of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams. We will not allow the Sost Dry Port to be relocated. In the past, PPP provided constitutional, democratic, political and economic rights, now after coming to power the same will be ensured. We not only make promises but fulfil them as well. But without your support and power of the people, I cannot do anything. Join PPP. Become the leaders of this caravan.”

Taking over the dais, PPP leader Kaira said, “Under the leadership of Bilawal, PPP will create a pile of constitutional rights.”