Bilawal's outburst against PML-N rocks coalition's boat

PPP chief urges element of respect in politics

KARACHI:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed dissatisfaction on Thursday with the federal government's policies and governance style, as he accused the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of violating its agreement with his party.

During an informal discussion with journalists at PPP's Media Cell in Karachi, the Bilawal regretted that "genuine politics" was being conducted at the federal level. He said that true politics was based on respect and the ruling coalition must adhere to its agreements.

This is not the first time the PPP voiced its concerns. The party had similar complaints against the PML-N when the budget was being presented. "It's not a question of mere discontent as true politics is based on respect," he added. "The government must adhere to their agreements."

The PPP is a key partner in the ruling coalition led by the PML-N and given its numerical strength in parliament; the government could crumble if the PPP pulled out of the alliance. "The PPP is supporting the federal government as an ally and it expects that the agreed terms to be upheld."

In his media talk, Bilawal commented on various subjects, ranging from coalition matters, President Asif Zardari's health, killing of Chinese citizens in Karachi, US elections, internet issue, construction of new canals on the Indus river and the need for equal representation in constitutional benches.

Venting his grievances with the federal government, Bilawal said new canals from the Indus was another example of the PML-N's breach of agreement with the PPP. He told he media that there was no national consensus on this project and it was approved by the PML-N behind his back.

He recalled that while he was working on the 26th Amendment, the canal project was approved despite strong objections from PPP members. "There is no national consensus on this project," the PPP chief told the media persons.

About the constitutional bench, he said that if there were judges from rural Sindh in the Supreme Court, he would advocate for equality as the highest judicial institution required fair representation. "A different treatment for Sindh [from the rest of the country] is apparent off and on," he said.

While condemning terrorist attacks on Chinese citizens, he said that those who fell victim to terrorism had come to Pakistan to create employment opportunities and benefit the nation. He said that he believed in the principle of "killing one [person] is like killing all humanity".

Bilawal called for an internal "National Action Plan 2.0" to address the issue of terrorism and fulfill its responsibilities to eliminate terror threats in the country. He urged the government to work with its international partners to expose those terrorist networks.

Regarding the US elections, the PPP chairman explained that just as Pakistan did not interfere in the US politics, the US also refrained from intervening in Pakistan's internal matters. He noted that personal relationships could be beneficial in diplomacy but they did not play a decisive role in state-to-state ties.

He shared that he also had an acquaintance with the US president-elect's son-in-law and daughter, recalling that when his mother, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, visited the US during her first term in the 1980s, Trump had hosted a reception in her honour.

Bilawal stressed that factors such as ground realities, geopolitics and domestic agendas shaped the international relations. When asked about the current status if the Pak-US relations, he said: "Ties between the two countries are currently not as good as they could be."

Even when he was the foreign minister of the Pakistan, Bilawal continued, "relations with the US were strained but now they are far worse." He asserted that it was in the interest of the Pakistani people to improve the relations with the US.

When asked about the slow internet speeds in the country, Bilawal stated that "decisions on internet policy are being taken by those people who do not even use it." He said that "there was no consultation with PPP on this issue, nor any input was sought."

"Had we been consulted, we would have make them understand how [important] it is for Pakistan's economy. Pakistan has two sectors – agriculture and this tech sector – which could play a major role in Pakistan's economy and improve Pakistan's exports and earnings," he said.

When asked about the health of President Zardari's, the PPP chief replied that the president was improving although he suffered four fractures in his leg and needed a few weeks of rest.