Next Balochistan CM to be a ‘Jiyala’: Bilawal

PPP chairman welcomes Zehri, Qadir Baloch and others to the party fold

QUETTA:

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday maintained that a party “Jiyala” would lead the next Balochistan government as the chief minister.

“The PPP would form the government across the country after sweeping the next general elections,” the scion of the Bhutto dynasty said while addressing an exclusive party function.

The function was held at Jattak House on Sariab Road in connection with leading politicians from different political parties joining the PPP.

They included Balochistan former chief minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri and former federal minister Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch.

Read: Bilawal vows to 'clean sweep' next general elections across Pakistan

Other personalities who have announced joining the PPP include former MPA and former provincial minister Col (retd) Younus Changezi, former member MPA and former provincial minister Nawab Muhammad Khan Shahwani, former MPA Kishwar Jattak, former Naseerabad district nazim Sardar Changez Sasoli, former central leader of the BNP Sardar Imran Bangalzai, former Khuzdar district council chairman Mir Abdul Rehman Zehri, former PML-N leader Nawab Sherbaz Nosherwani, Mir Irfan Kurd, former provincial minister Agha Irfan Karim Ahmadzai, Mir Ghazi Khan Pendrani and Syed Abbas Shah.

Bilawal observed that the people of Balochistan were energetic and brave, and that the relationship between the PPP and the people of Balochistan went back three generations.

“[The people of Balochistan] had supported Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and made history,” he added.

"The historic bond was further cemented when the people of Balochistan stood by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. After her martyrdom, they again sided with [former] president Asif Ali Zardari and now they would be my strength.”

The PPP chairman noted that a new generation was entering the political fray.

"I want to make history with the youth of Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.”

Bilawal said the PPP -- by passing the National Finance Commission (NFC) award to the provinces -- had ensured that the “historic injustices” could be repaired.

He added that his party had also passed the 18th Amendment to “realise the dream of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to devolve power and give the right to self-govern to the provinces”.

He said one of the basic rights enshrined in the Constitution had guaranteed that the people of that province from where natural reserves had been discovered would be the first to benefit from them.

The PPP chairman claimed that his father, former president Zardari, had provided Benazir Income Support Programme for financial assistance to impoverished women and increased salaries and pensions, including those of the armed forces.

Read more: Bilawal says PPP to give tough time to AJK govt

Bilawal claimed that while “the puppet and ineligible” Prime Minister Imran Khan's government had been established after that of Nawaz Sharif’s, both had usurped the will of the people.

He added that both the PTI and PML-N were further trying to undermine people’s rights.

“They are jointly conniving to undermine the 18th Amendment and do away with the NFC Award. They only see our islands, our coasts, and our resources, but they don’t see the people. There is only one party, the PPP, that knows how to defend your rights.”

Bilawal, while referring to the Quetta blast in 2016, said the people of Balochistan had faced many difficulties. “Lawyers were martyred here five years ago, but so far they have not received justice.”

He felicitated the leaders, dignitaries and workers, who had joined the party and reiterated his commitment to the rights of the people of Balochistan.