Bilawal says traditional politics harming country

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned on Tuesday the traditional politics was harming the country and stated that those intending to alter the 18th Constitutional Amendment would not be able to win the upcoming general elections.

Addressing a workers convention in Upper Dir, Bilawal also fired a broadside against the previous coalition government in which the PPP was also a part.

He said that Shehbaz Sharif-led dispensation increase inflation and dashed he hopes for restoring “true democracy” in the country.

“We are not aware of what our traditional politicians intend to do, but their politics is harming the people.

We have to leave this politics behind if we are to solve the problems of the people and we can unitedly combat poverty, terrorism and all other crises,” Bilawal told the convention.

“Pakistan has unparalleled potential but the only hindrance in exploring it is the politics of hate and division, as well as the egos of our traditional politicians. The manner with which the politics of hate and division is being given space, is further harming the country,” he added.

“They are not engaging in politics, rather are using it as a means to carrying out personal vendetta against each other. Especially, the politicians of Lahore are of the viewpoint that ‘either they would play or no one else’. This is only causing harm to the people.”

The PPP chairman said that he had served in both the opposition and the government. He recalled that when the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government was formed, the PPP decided to join it with high hopes of combatting the people’s fundamental problems, including the economy.

“We joined hands with them to help the country emerge from the economic crisis, bring a positive change and put a stop to the inflation.

However, the economic crisis worsened by changing finance ministers. We were hoping that true democracy would be restored but we … were disappointed.”

Now, he continued, the rival politicians intended to repeal the 18th Amendment and change the formula of the National Finance Commission (NFC) award.

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However, he added: “This is not a concern [anymore] as they will not win the elections, nor will they be able to attain a two-thirds majority.” Referring to a speech of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid Nawaz Sharif to the businessmen from Lahore that questions should not be asked about the investment coming to the country, Bilawal said the PPP would ask them whether they were taking care of the labourers.

“Our philosophy is that someone who works hard should be rewarded accordingly,” Bilawal said. “We will keep asking them [industrialists ]whether they are taking care of our labourers, increasing their wages and looking after their wellbeing,” he said.

In the same breath, he added: “This does not mean that we will not take care of the business community, we will facilitate them, but also ensure that they are looking after the people.”

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He explained that the PPP had no enmity with any party, rather it only wanted to serve the people.

“We only consider poverty, unemployment and inflation our opponent,” he said.

“We fear that the rest of the parties do not intend to serve the people but carry out their personal vendetta. What would become of the Pakistani people if everyone intends to do this?”

The PPP chairman mentioned that the people of Pakistan were facing a plethora of issues as inflation, unemployment and poverty had reached unprecedented levels.

 But the leaders of the country did not have the slightest idea of the pain that the people were suffering. He then addressed the country’s youth, saying that he himself was from among them, and wanted to solve their problems. “When given the opportunity again, we will again change the destiny of the people through hard work and dedication.”