Bilawal says dialogue can end K-P emergency

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday defended the imposition of governor's rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and urged the opposition parties to engage with the federal government if they want the emergency arrangements to end.

Speaking to the media after visiting the Karsaz tragedy memorial with First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Bilawal said eliminating terrorism was the mission of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. He added that the PPP was working towards a new National Action Plan (NAP) and a fresh national consensus against terrorism.

The two laid flowers at the memorial and offered Fateha for those killed in the October 18, 2007, attack that Bilawal described as one of the worst terrorist attacks in Pakistan's history. He paid tribute to the armed forces, police and civilians targeted by terrorists.

Bilawal said the PPP-led federal government launched operations against terrorists in Swat and other parts of K-P after coming to power in 2008. He said Pakistan had defeated terrorists after enormous sacrifices, but the decision to allow terrorists from Afghanistan to settle in the former tribal areas reversed those gains.

"Today, Pakistan is paying the price for those wrong decisions. We have once again reached a point where certain forces want to remove Pakistan's flag from Swat," he said, adding that terrorist attacks were taking place across the country, from Khyber to Khuzdar.

Criticising K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Bilawal called him a "coward" for refusing to confront terrorists and defend his province. "The PPP was prepared to fight terrorism if the provincial leadership was unwilling to do so," he said, adding that the PPP had supported the Centre's decision to impose the governor's rule.

Bilawal maintained that the PPP had always imposed emergencies in accordance with the Constitution and the law. He cited the imposition of governor's rule in Balochistan during the party's 2008-2013 government, arguing that the PPP had acted against its own provincial government because of the security situation.

He urged all political parties not to politicise terrorism or make counterterrorism measures controversial.

Referring to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Bilawal said the opposition leader had every right to criticise the government but should also openly condemn terrorist attacks, noting that members of his own party had been killed in such incidents.

"If they want the emergency arrangements and governor's rule in K-P to end, they should engage with the federal government," Bilawal said, adding that Fazl could help bridge differences between the government and opposition.

Turning to the economy, Bilawal said Pakistan was facing a historic economic crisis and warned that conditions appeared likely to worsen. He said the country needed collective efforts to address economic hardship, combat terrorism and improve the electoral system.

The PPP, he added, was working towards a new National Action Plan (NAP) and a fresh national consensus against terrorism. He also welcomed the federal government's agreement to establish an electoral reforms committee and invited opposition parties to participate in its work.

Bilawal said the PPP government from 2008 to 2013 had focused on employment, economic difficulties and terrorism, reflecting the priorities associated with Benazir Bhutto's political legacy. He said her assassination had placed an even greater responsibility on the party to pursue those objectives.

On the creation of new provinces, Bilawal said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was aware of the PPP's position and that of President Asif Ali Zardari. He stressed that new provinces could be created through constitutional and legal procedures, with the president's signature required for the process.

"If this is not merely a political stunt, why are provinces not being created where there is consensus?" he asked, citing Gilgit-Baltistan as an example where he said consensus existed.

Bilawal also defended political reconciliation, saying compromise was an essential part of democratic politics. He recalled that Benazir Bhutto had prioritised the country, the people and party workers over personal interests, making compromises when necessary. He said the 18th Constitutional Amendment had likewise been achieved through negotiations and consensus among political stakeholders.

Asked about K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Bilawal said the PPP had nominated him for the post, but he was now constitutionally a representative of the federal government. He added that he would continue speaking to Kundi and offering advice while recognising his present responsibilities.

Bilawal said the PPP was continuing its struggle to realise Benazir Bhutto's vision of a Pakistan that could address economic hardship, provide employment, strengthen democracy and defeat terrorism.

PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers, lawmakers, local government representatives, party office-bearers and workers were also present at the memorial.