Bilawal vows to abolish 17 federal ministries

HYDERABAD:

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has pledged to save Rs300 billion in wasteful federal expenditure, provide a one-year stipend to fresh graduates, and offer up to 300 units of free electricity if his party forms the government after the February 8, 2024, general elections.

While addressing female cadets at Bakhtawar Cadet College Nawabshah on Monday, the PPP chief vowed that focusing on not only development but also supporting peasants, laborers, youth, and addressing the consequences of climate change will be his top priorities.

He emphasized prevailing inflation, the economic crisis, population bulge, natural disasters, and the untapped youth resource as the primary challenges that his party would face if it forms the government.
“The slogan of roti, kapra aur makan [bread, clothing and shelter] which was first raised by [PPP founder] Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is more relevant today.”

He observed that a majority of people cannot afford to pay for the expenses of ration, education, health and utility bills, adding that the necessary expenditures have more than doubled in a few years.

Bilawal acknowledged that when he talks about launching financial support programmes for peasants, laborers and youth, the people wonder from where the government can meet these expenses.

“The number one sources for arranging those funds are the 17 federal ministries which should have been devolved to the provinces after the 18th Constitutional Amendment.”

He said he initially came to know that those ministries were spending around Rs100 billion per annum but later it transpired that the ministries were actually devouring around Rs300 billion every year. “God willing, those Rs300 billion will be spent on the public by winding up those 17 ministries.”

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The PPP chairman said his party’s government will dedicate its investment to the green energy sector by setting up green parks in each district of the country.

“Those parks will generate solar and wind energy which will be provided either for free to the lower consumption segment of up to 300 units or at a lower cost. Once this happens, we will no longer need electricity from WAPDA, K-Electric, SEPCO or other distribution companies.”

Taking cue from his grandfather Zulfikar Bhutto, he said he has planned to create overseas employment opportunities for the skilled youth of Pakistan. He claimed that during his 18-month stint as the head of the foreign office, he had already taken initiatives in this regard.

Bilawal said around 70% of the population in Pakistan consists of youth whereas there are many developed countries in the world which lack a young population. Such countries, he elaborated, will be offered skilled manpower from Pakistan after imparting the youth education and training.

He said the government is planning to stop subsidizing the energy, fertilizer and other sectors which are consuming around Rs1,500 billion annually. However, he assured, the same funds will be channeled directly to the public in the form of the peasant, labours and youth cards.

“The most difficult time in the lives of the youth is when after completing their graduation they are made to run from pillar to post to find a job,” he noted.

According to him, the fresh graduates will be provided financial support through the youth card for one year so that during their search for employment they keep financially afloat.

He urged the young people not to pay heed to politics of hatred, division and revenge and instead channel their energies for personal growth and the country’s development.
The PPP’s chairman reiterated that Pakistan has become a victim of global warming even though its carbon emission is less than one percent of the world.

He underscored that the climate calamities required resilient infrastructure in the irrigation, agriculture, communication and energy sectors and that if he formed the government they would kick-start projects in that direction.

Optimistic Zardari

PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has asserted that his party has a bright future and that they will also form government in the wake of February 8 polls.

Also read: Bilawal champions shared heritage, transcending divisions

Talking to the media during his visit to a returning officer for the scrutiny of his nomination papers for NA-207, Nawabshah, on Monday, Zaradri said elections will take place on time. He added that the Supreme Court has already taken a decision in this regard.

Commenting on a question about the difficulties faced by the PTI in its election campaign, he said the PTI will have to work hard for the upcoming polls. “They got power without effort last time,” he added.