Bilawal urges consensus-based approach on new provinces

Stresses decentralised economic planning, warns economy 'cannot be run with sticks'

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for the creation of new provinces only where there is consensus, urging the government to focus on areas with agreement before pursuing plans to establish 20 provinces.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, he said the National Assembly has already agreed on certain provinces and stressed that proposals, ready for implementation, should be carried out immediately.

Bilawal noted that the PPP has historically maintained governance while, at times, implementing governor's rule when necessary. Citing Punjab assembly's legislation to create a province and establish local government, he compared it with Sindh’s even stronger framework and stressed that political stability requires cooperation among parties. He warned that failure to engage concerned quarters could create provincial challenges.

Recalling the PPP’s successful no-confidence motion that removed a sitting prime minister, Bilawal criticised the PTI for consistently adopting a disruptive approach and called for constructive engagement among political parties. When asked about meeting PTI Chairman Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, he reiterated the need for all parties to maintain dialogue.

Separately, Bilawal warned that Pakistan’s economy 'cannot be run with sticks', urging the government to abandon coercive measures and adopt a cooperative, decentralised approach to economic planning.

Addressing a ceremony hosted by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), he said Pakistan’s business history is often misrepresented, but the focus should be on the future. He assured that the PPP would work alongside the FPCCI’s advisory group to strengthen economic initiatives and district-level planning.

“One difference between the prime minister’s team and our team is that they favour centralisation, while we believe in decentralisation. If you prepare district-wise plans, it will strengthen our arguments, and I appreciate your recommendations for economic offices,” he said.

Bilawal stressed that governments often rely on coercion to manage the economy, but "a country cannot be run by force alone—it must be run with cooperation". He added, “You attract more with honey than with vinegar.” He also urged competitive tax rates, respect for the business community, and voluntary compliance to achieve better economic results.

Providing a practical example, Bilawal noted that before the 18th Amendment, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected sales tax on services. After devolution, Sindh immediately took responsibility for collection and has since exceeded FBR records. Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan have also surpassed previous federal collections. “This demonstrates that decentralisation works,” he said.

He highlighted the PPP’s overarching goal to increase revenue, enhance tax collection, and expand the tax net while promoting economic growth and human development.

Bilawal expressed pride in Pakistan’s longstanding, three-generation relationship with China, noting that the country has not fully capitalised on business incentives offered by Beijing. He also pointed to opportunities created by the recent tariff war and Europe’s GSP Plus status, which had led to a 60 per cent increase in exports to Europe during his tenure as foreign minister.

He acknowledged that the president, the governors of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the Sindh government, and the prime minister are actively working to resolve issues faced by the business community. He reiterated that while the prime minister favours centralisation, the PPP believes decentralisation is key to sustainable growth and supports FPCCI’s district-level programmes.