Bilawal blames PTI govt for all economic ills

Blaming former prime minister Imran Khan for the ongoing difficult economic situation in the country, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday credited his party’s Jialas for saving the nation from complete destruction.

Addressing a public gathering in Larkana to commemorate the 69th birth anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal said that sending the selected government home was inevitable as it was attacking the rights of the people, Constitution and democracy.

Bilawal paid rich tributes to the late Bhutto, his mother, who was the first woman elected prime minister in the Islamic world. He said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto fought dictators all her life and that she was still alive in the hearts of her Jiyalas.

During his speech, the PPP chairman lambasted the politics of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan. "[Imran] Niazi and his team are to blame for the prevailing economic crisis,” Bilawal told a charged crowd.

“Pakistan was saved by the departure of the selected government,” he said, adding: “For the first time in the country’s history, the Jiyalas sent home the selected government through the no-confidence motion as a result of a peaceful struggle, all in a constitutional manner.”

After sending the selected government packing, Bilawal continued, he realised the extent of the damage Imran had done to the country during his four years in power. He said that he was shocked to see the details of deal the previous PTI government had struck with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Imran played a dangerous game with the country in the name of petroleum subsidy, which put the country on the verge of bankruptcy, he added.

Not only Imran, but Bilawal also slammed the former first lady, accusing her of being involved in corruption. “They both have to give many answers about billions of rupees in kickbacks and Tosha Khana case,” he alleged.

He was of the view that the former prime minister defamed Pakistan, while grabbing a watch and other valuables gifted by the Saudi prince from Toshakhana. On the other hand, he added, since becoming the foreign minister, he was representing Pakistan in a dignified way everywhere.

Also read: PM Shehbaz pays homage to Benazir Bhutto on 69th birth anniversary

“At the moment, the focus of the foreign policy is the economy. Our policy is trade, not aid,” he said. “We have talked to all the countries, including the United States, regarding Pakistan’s businesses with them,” he said.

Bilawal also dilated on the relief granted to the country at Financial Action Task Force Plenary (FATF) last week. He added that Pakistan had implemented the FATF conditions but the previous government was not ready to consult the right people who mattered.

“There were two FIRs against Pakistan, one of money laundering and the other of financing of terrorism,” the foreign minister explained. “Pakistan had implemented the FATF Charter, but the previous government was not ready to consult the people it should have. Instead it was abusing them,” he continued.

“The success at FATF is the result of the efforts of all political parties and institutions. Pakistan will be out of the grey list of the FATF by October. The news regarding FATF will be followed by more good news related to EU's GSP Plus status,” he announced.

Earlier, speaking about the life of his mother, Bilawal said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto fought for 30 years for the development of the country and the people. “She was the voice of the people and hope for the youth,” he said in tribute to the late Bhutto.

“Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto conveyed the peaceful message of Islam. She fought oppression and military dictators like Gen Ziaul Haq and Gen Pervez Musharraf,” the PPP chairman told the crowd.
He said that some doomsayers were predicting that after the assassination of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, the PPP would be finished and no one would be there to raise voice for the rights of poor people but they were wrong because Benazir Bhutto still lived in the form of Jiyalas.

Speaking about the local issues relating to his hometown of Larkana, Bilawal expressed satisfaction that the city was developing. “The Peoples Bus Service is starting from Larkana today,” he said.

“Institutions like the NICVD [National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases] and SIUT [Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation] are also providing health services to the people in Larkana,” he added.
He also mentioned the provision of ownership certificates to the slum-dwellers and improvement in the garbage collection system in Larkana. "These are small things, but they are important in the journey of development," he said.

At the end of his speech, the foreign minister assured the people that success could be achieved by following the philosophy of Benazir Bhutto. "We know that the people are worried, but if we continue to follow in the footsteps of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, we will be able to achieve success," he said.

On the occasion, Bilawal cut the cake on the occasion of 69th birth anniversary of late Benazir Bhutto. Senior PPP leaders, including party’s Sindh President Nisar Khoro, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Assembly Speaker Siraj Durrani were also present.