Bilour bids farewell to 55-year political career

Veteran nationalist politician quits politics, citing repeated defeats

PESHAWAR:

Veteran politician and former federal minister Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has announced his decision to quit electoral politics after a 55-year-long political career, saying his "heart is broken" by repeated electoral defeats and what he described as interference by powerful quarters.

He has also sold his house and shifted to Islamabad, citing compulsion due to prevailing circumstances.

Addressing a press conference at Bilour House in Peshawar before leaving the city, Bilour alleged that the establishment did not even consider his age and ensured his defeat in elections multiple times.

"I have been defeated three to four times despite winning the mandate. They need people who obey, who can be bought and who bow down. We are neither for sale nor willing to bow," he said.

Bilour remarked that although Pakistan's armed forces had defeated India on the battlefield, the country was lagging behind in the economic arena. He stressed that inflation, unemployment, and terrorism were major challenges facing the country and called upon all political parties to collectively work for their resolution.

Strongly defending the 18th Constitutional Amendment, Bilour said it was as significant as the Pakistan Resolution. "Those who call the 18th Amendment 'nonsense' should first read the Pakistan Resolution. Tampering with the 18th Amendment is tantamount to harming Pakistan," he warned, adding that the amendment was passed after extensive debate and struggle and must be preserved.

He said martial laws had caused the greatest damage to the country and asserted that Pakistan could progress if handed over to politicians.

Referring to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, he said the province had borne the brunt of terrorism, with Pashtuns both killing and being killed, despite having electricity, gas, and mineral resources that did not benefit its people.

Bilour lamented that Pakistan no longer reflected the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and urged stakeholders to "save what remains of the country." He also questioned recent international developments, saying it was unclear why the US president had shown unusual respect to Pakistan.

Declaring himself a "spent cartridge," Bilour said he no longer held any party position or parliamentary seat.

"Peshawar is my home, but I am leaving it under compulsion," he concluded.

Former provincial minister Syed Aqil Shah, Bilour's grandson Azeem Bilour, and party leaders were also present at the press conference.