Bilawal urges restraint in AJK, calls for democratic resolution of tensions

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday called for restraint over ongoing protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), warning that unrest could harm both regional stability and Pakistan’s international image, as he said most commitments under the post-election governing arrangement had already been fulfilled.

Speaking in parliament during his broader budget address, Bilawal said his party had actively participated in recent elections in AJK and remained engaged in the political process. “Pakistan Peoples Party is a political party… we worked hard in the election campaign,” he said, adding that “80 per cent of the agreement has been completed” under the governing understanding reached after the polls.

He said remaining issues were longer-term and required continued coordination between federal and regional authorities.

Turning to the ongoing protests in the region, he urged that disputes be handled through political institutions rather than street agitation. “Those who are protesting are damaging the reputation of Pakistan and Kashmir,” he said, adding, “These issues should be resolved inside Parliament, not on the streets.”

A major portion of the speech focused on representation in Pakistan’s federal political structure. The speaker questioned the current arrangements under which Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) remains outside full constitutional participation.

He asked: “How long will we keep denying them the right to sit in this House? How long will we keep saying you belong to this valley or that district, but cannot decide your own future?”

He argued that representatives from the region should be allowed to sit in parliament and participate fully in decision-making processes.

At the same time, he acknowledged public grievances and said they required engagement through constitutional and political channels rather than dismissal.

He drew a comparison with Pakistan’s other provinces, arguing that the existence of the 12 refugee seats that are voted on by people no longer residing in the province would not be acceptable elsewhere.

“If something like this happened in Punjab or Balochistan, people would also protest,” he said, referring specifically to concerns about representation and seats in elections.

Read: Shehbaz woos Bilawal on budget backing

He added that similar objections would arise if external influence were perceived in electoral representation in any province, including Sindh or Balochistan.

Expanding his remarks to wider regional security concerns, Bilawal alleged external involvement in Pakistan’s internal instability, saying: “There is an India-Israel nexus working against Pakistan,” and linking unrest in parts of the country to attempts to exploit internal divisions.

He concluded by stressing that political disputes in AJK and G-B should be resolved through dialogue and consensus-building. “We must debate this in a normal manner… solutions cannot be imposed by force,” he said, reaffirming the PPP’s commitment to contest elections and pursue rights through democratic processes.

Earlier, Bilawal began the address during the federal budget debate, defending the agreement between the federal and provincial governments to contribute funds towards national defence and security requirements, insisting the arrangement is constitutional and does not undermine provincial rights guaranteed under the 18th Amendment.

He said that the decision had been reached through political consensus and within the framework of the Constitution.

"The most important point is that these decisions have not been taken through any unconstitutional means, but within the ambit of the Constitution," he told lawmakers.

He argued that Article 164 of the Constitution allows both the federation and provinces to provide grants to each other for expenditures falling outside their respective domains.

The PPP chairman said speculation before the budget session had suggested that the federal government might seek to curtail provincial financial rights, revisit the 18th Amendment, alter the National Finance Commission (NFC) framework, or even reduce funding for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

Instead, he said, negotiations between the federal government and PPP representatives had produced what he described as "a constitutional and democratic solution" that met national security requirements while protecting provincial interests.

"We have agreed with the government that Sindh and the other provinces will make contributions for national defence," he said.

In return, he said, the federal government had guaranteed that provincial allocations under the Seventh NFC Award would remain protected.

"The provinces' NFC share is secure," he said. "Beyond this arrangement, no further share or sacrifice will be demanded from provincial governments."

He described the agreement as more than a financial arrangement.

"This is not merely a fiscal arrangement. It is a victory for Pakistani politics," he said.

"It is proof that when national interest is at stake, democratic institutions, political parties and all components of the federation can make decisions together."

He argued that a country's strength depends not only on military power but also on unity, constitutionalism and political cohesion.

"When national interests are involved, if we continue to work together in this way, there is no challenge Pakistan cannot confront," he said.

The PPP chairman rejected the perception that provinces enjoy abundant fiscal space while the federal government faces all economic difficulties.

"Federal economic difficulties exist, but provincial governments also face economic challenges," he said.

Read more: Bilawal urges peaceful end to AJK protests

He maintained that although the 18th Amendment and seventh NFC award were historic constitutional achievements, provinces had not always received their full financial entitlements.

Bilawal cited the petroleum levy as an example, saying it was introduced temporarily following the devastating 2010 floods but continues to be collected by the federal government.

"The provinces have still not received their share from petroleum levies, gas levies and other levies," he said.

He also highlighted provincial budget surpluses required under Pakistan's International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, describing them as another form of provincial sacrifice.

According to the PPP Chairman, Punjab recorded a budget surplus of approximately Rs700bn last year and Rs900bn this year, while Sindh showed a surplus of around Rs300bn last year and Rs400bn this year.

He argued that these funds could otherwise have been spent on local development projects.

"That money belongs to the people of Punjab," he said.

Speaking about Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the former tribal districts, he said both federal and provincial governments had failed to fully deliver promised development following the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

He said all provinces had agreed to contribute towards national security needs due to what he described as extraordinary circumstances.

Referring to regional tensions, he cited threats from terrorism, instability involving Afghanistan, and what he called an "India-Israel nexus" seeking to harm Pakistan.

He welcomed the participation of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's government, led by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the agreement.

"The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has also put aside political differences and decided to play its part in this contribution for the national interest," he said.

On the floor of the House, he praised the PTI government's decision and urged political forces to continue cooperating on issues of national importance.

Despite supporting the agreement, He acknowledged that it was not a long-term answer.

"These are non-sustainable solutions," he said.

He called on both federal and provincial governments to pursue growth-oriented economic policies capable of generating sufficient resources to meet development and defence needs without requiring extraordinary contributions.

Pakistan, he argued, needed a long-term economic framework focused on sustainable growth.

A substantial portion of Bilawal's speech was devoted to defending the Benazir Income Support Programme against critics who have called for reductions in welfare spending.

He presented four main arguments in support of the programme. He said international institutions including the IMF and World Bank, recognised BISP as a successful social protection programme.

"The world is not telling Pakistan to cut this programme," he said. "It is telling Pakistan that this is a successful programme and should be expanded." He argued that BISP had helped millions of families, supported children's education, improved maternal and child health, and provided assistance during crises ranging from Covid-19 to major floods.

"It is Pakistan's most effective mechanism for reaching those in need," he said.

He framed social protection as both a religious and moral obligation. "Our faith teaches us to care for the poor, the orphaned, widows and those in need," he said.

"When BISP helps a mother feed her children, educate them and secure a better future, it is not merely a policy—it is a moral and religious responsibility". Rejecting the idea that prosperity only flows from wealthy groups downwards, Mr Bhutto argued that economic growth also depends on supporting lower-income households.

"Some people say wealth flows from the top down. I say development flows from the bottom up," he said.

He noted that low-income households spend assistance payments on food, medicine, education and basic necessities, thereby stimulating local economies. "The poor do not hoard wealth. They return it to the economy," he said. "BISP is not only a welfare programme. It is also an economic programme".

He also linked poverty alleviation to national security. Pakistan, he said, continued to face terrorism, insurgency and extremism. "No army in the world can defeat an insurgency through weapons alone," he said. "If you want to defeat extremism and terrorism, you have to win hearts and minds". He argued that state support for vulnerable citizens strengthens public trust and helps counter radicalisation.

Also read: PPP set to form G-B govt as Bilawal hails PM's support

"When a mother feels Pakistan stands with her, when a child receives an education, Pakistan wins another heart," he said.

"Any nation that wins the hearts of its people cannot be defeated".

For that reason, he said, BISP should be viewed not only as a poverty reduction initiative but also as "a programme of humanity, economics and national security". "The Pakistan Peoples Party will continue to defend the Benazir Income Support Programme," he added.

Bilawal argued that economic growth should be judged by improvements in living standards rather than gains among wealthy groups alone. "Pakistan's economy cannot truly progress if the rich continue getting richer while the poor become poorer," he said.

He said agricultural growth should benefit ordinary farmers rather than only large landowners, industrial growth should reward workers as well as factory owners, and economic development should create employment opportunities for young people.

"If the benefits of growth first reach the people, the underprivileged and neglected regions, then the whole of Pakistan will prosper," he said.

Reflecting on his tenure as foreign minister, He recounted a conversation with a foreign counterpart about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

While praising CPEC's infrastructure projects and the potential of Gwadar Port, he said the foreign minister had questioned why greater priority was not given to western route projects serving less-developed areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to him, the argument was that earlier investment in underdeveloped regions could have generated broader economic benefits and reduced regional inequalities.

He also suggested that some borrowing for high-profile infrastructure projects might have been better directed towards productive investments capable of generating long-term returns.

"Pakistan is running on debt," he said. "We borrow to run our budget and we borrow to repay previous debt.

" He argued that growth-oriented policies and investment in neglected regions could help reduce dependence on borrowing and spread prosperity beyond major urban centres such as Karachi and Lahore.

Gilgit-Baltistan

In the final section of his speech, He thanked voters in G-B following recent electoral successes for the PPP. He said the party had secured 11 seats and won representation across all divisions of the region.

"The people of Gilgit-Baltistan once again placed their trust in the Pakistan Peoples Party," he said. He praised what he described as the region's longstanding loyalty to the legacy of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the PPP.

"The people living among the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan have once again demonstrated their connection with the Pakistan Peoples Party," he said.

Bilawal argued that the people of G-B had “fought their own battles for freedom” and then chose to accede to Pakistan, saying, “They fought against Dogra rule and won their independence, and then came to Karachi and said they wanted to be part of Pakistan.”

He recalled the early administrative structures in the region, claiming that Pakistan inherited a feudal and colonial-style system which was later dismantled. Referring to early reforms, he said, “We abolished the feudal system and ended the old Jagirdari order”.

He credited former prime minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with introducing key reforms, adding that it was under his leadership that the “old system of control was dismantled and people were given basic rights and subsidies”.

He linked this political evolution to the formation of a long-standing relationship between the Pakistan Peoples Party and the people of the region. He said he had recently visited the region and promised residents that their issues related to ownership, employment, and political representation would be addressed.

“People there trust us because of history and because of promises we made,” he said, adding that his party remained committed to securing rights for the region. The speaker questioned the current arrangements under which Gilgit-Baltistan remains outside full constitutional participation.

He asked: “How long will we keep denying them the right to sit in this House? How long will we keep saying you belong to this valley or that district, but cannot decide your own future?”

He argued that representatives from the region should be allowed to sit in parliament and participate fully in decision-making processes.

In a charged speech in the National Assembly, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accused India of pursuing “conspiracies” against Pakistan, warning that any attempt to block Pakistan’s water would be met with a strong national response, and declaring that the country was “ready even for war” if necessary.

Speaking on the floor of the House, he said: “We are watching Modi’s conspiracies, but I want to tell him that all his conspiracies will be defeated, Inshallah.” He added that Pakistan would stand united “from one side to the other” to confront such challenges.

Referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said: “Modi says he will stop our water. Modi says he does not accept the Indus Waters Treaty. That is a mistake.” He claimed that “the whole of Pakistan is ready to respond” and that “even a child in Pakistan is ready to fight for the protection of water.”

He further warned: “If they are bent on stopping Pakistan’s water, then Pakistan is ready for war".

Indus Waters Treaty and water security concerns

A large part of the speech focused on water security and the Indus Waters Treaty, which Bilawal repeatedly referenced as a key strategic issue.

He said India’s stance on the treaty was unacceptable and framed water as a national security priority. “We are ready to protect Pakistan’s water and defend the Indus Waters Treaty,” he said, adding that what he described as “water terrorism and threats over water” required a coordinated national response.

He also stressed the need for strategic planning, saying Pakistan must strengthen its internal capacity to manage water resources and irrigation systems.

Infrastructure and dam projects

Bilawal called for the completion of ongoing irrigation and dam projects, arguing that delays were harming the country’s water management capacity.

He specifically referred to major infrastructure projects including the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and other irrigation schemes, saying: “We must ensure that ongoing projects are completed, instead of waiting for years while projects remain incomplete and losses continue.”

He said Pakistan needed both immediate and long-term solutions, particularly in water storage and distribution.

Climate pressures and regional water cooperation

The PPP chairman also referred to environmental pressures, including melting glaciers and rising water stress in neighbouring regions. He said some countries faced excess water availability due to climate change impacts and were exploring ways to redirect surplus water through international cooperation.

He mentioned proposals involving water transfer pipelines and feasibility studies linking water resources to Gulf countries, describing them as part of broader global planning discussions.

He also said Pakistan should explore water infrastructure cooperation beyond existing treaty frameworks and consider additional regional water supply options.

Central Asia and alternative water supply ideas

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan should also examine proposals for water pipelines from Central Asian republics, suggesting that such flows could help address domestic shortages and complement existing systems.

He argued that expanding supply sources would help offset any reductions or constraints under the Indus Waters Treaty framework and strengthen Pakistan’s internal water resilience.

Call for consensus and national unity

Concluding his speech, he stressed the need for political consensus and coordinated national planning.

“If we work step by step, strengthen infrastructure, and build consensus, then Inshallah Pakistan will not face water scarcity,” he said.

He added: “Pakistan stands at a crossroads. If we resolve these issues through consensus, then I believe victory will be Pakistan’s, and defeat will be for every opponent.”

He ended his remarks by thanking the Speaker of the House.