Young leadership — fresher ideas

It is said that adversities and tragedies can either make people or break them. For those with a greater goal in life, tragedies offer necessary life lessons, enabling them to build the resilience needed to prevent history from repeating itself. Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is one such leader who has emerged as a beacon of hope and pragmatism in Pakistani politics, despite its tumultuous history.

Having lost his mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, at the young age of 19, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has made a name for himself by promoting political stability and avoiding conflict with adversaries-while ensuring that national space is not conceded.

In December 2021, Chairman Bilawal galvanized the then opposition parties against the government of Imran Khan, initiated a No-Confidence Motion, and successfully replaced the government through constitutional means in April 2022. He subsequently joined the coalition government as Foreign Minister. As a young Foreign Minister, he worked tirelessly to defuse the diplomatic and economic crises inherited from the previous administration. Under his leadership, Pakistan avoided economic and diplomatic minefields-benefits that are evident three years later.

During his tenure, Pakistan bore the brunt of climate change, and Bilawal became the country’s voice on the global stage, advocating for climate justice and highlighting how Pakistanis are victims of the developed world’s carbon footprint. This culminated in the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan in Geneva, co-hosted by UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres. Mr. Guterres, acknowledging our plight, stated: “No country deserves to endure what happened to Pakistan.”

At this significant event, Pakistan successfully secured international funding, with Bilawal committing to transform the challenge of recovery and reconstruction into an opportunity to build a more resilient Pakistan. Through tangible actions, Bilawal has shown that he walks the talk-his government in the province of Sindh is constructing 2.1 million homes for flood-affected people, of which 600,000 have already been built.

Since his parliamentary debut in 2018, his clarity-driven, statesmanlike approach has not only defined his political persona but also paved the way for unity, progress, and democratic resilience. With the PPP leading the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan and playing a conscientious role in Parliament, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has helped stabilize and strengthen the democratic system. The passage of the 26th Amendment in October 2024 stands as a shining example of his visionary leadership, ensuring optimal give-and-take (within legal bounds) to maintain continuity and longevity in democratic governance. I am personally witness to his patience, perseverance, and foresight in building political consensus for the amendment’s passage.
Bilawal has consistently demonstrated that age is merely a number when it comes to political sagacity. His remarkable maturity and nuanced understanding of Pakistan’s complex challenges set him apart. His leadership style reflects a deep commitment to democratic principles and inclusive governance, which distinguishes him in a polarized and often hostile political landscape.
During the recent war-like situation with India, Bilawal once again stepped forward to articulate Pakistan’s position internationally, exposing Indian propaganda. His diplomatic engagement helped improve Pakistan’s global image and underscored his vision of a more connected and cooperative Pakistan.

At the United Nations, Bilawal called on the international community to press India for a comprehensive dialogue with Pakistan. He warned that recent military escalations had heightened the risk of conflict and emphasized the urgency of addressing the unresolved Kashmir issue, which lies at the heart of Indo-Pak tensions. Despite rising hostilities, Bilawal reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to cooperate with India in combating terrorism.

As Foreign Minister, during his visit to India in May 2023 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, he again emphasized resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. He also addressed regional threats of extremism and terrorism, calling for collective action free of political bias.

It is often said that history repeats itself. Just as Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto presented Pakistan’s case to the world even when they held no official office, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari now follows in their footsteps. His statesmanlike approach is precisely what Pakistan-and the wider region-needs: to diffuse tensions and present a united, dignified, and constructive image of Pakistan, paving the way for long-term economic and political stability.

The writer is mayor of Karach