- Bilawal says the economic pressure on the public has become unbearable.
- PPP leader urges PTI to participate in the electoral reforms committee.
- Bilawal alleges that electoral manipulation was directed against the PPP.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday called on the federal government to bring all stakeholders to the table and move beyond political divisions, stressing that the country’s economic challenges needed a united response.
“The people of Pakistan are finding it difficult to live economically,” Bilawal remarked while speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of a 600-bed hospital in Larkana.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said the government’s main focus should be on resolving the problems confronting ordinary citizens rather than becoming involved in political disputes.
“Every country’s first responsibility is to look after its people,” he said, emphasising that shielding the public from financial difficulties was the most pressing challenge.
“If we fight the PTI, Maulana [Fazlur Rehman], terrorists, India and Afghanistan, we will remain occupied with this work. When will we focus on economic development?” he asked.
The PPP chairman called on the federal government to work with all political and other stakeholders rather than entering into confrontations with different groups. He stressed that political disagreements needed to be put aside to tackle the country’s economic difficulties.
Discussing electoral reforms, Bilawal urged the PTI to become part of the committee established to consider changes to the electoral system.
He called on opposition representatives in the National Assembly and Senate to ensure the party’s unconditional inclusion in the committee, noting that PTI founder Imran Khan had granted them complete authority to make the decision.
Bilawal revealed that the PPP had contacted opposition leaders and asked them to nominate their representatives for the committee.
He recalled that opposition leaders had repeatedly argued that Khan should be released or permitted to meet his party leadership before they could participate in other discussions.
“Now that the PTI founder has given them full authority, opposition leaders should decide to ensure the party’s representation in the committee,” he said.
The PPP chairman noted that both the PTI and certain government representatives had also raised concerns about alleged electoral rigging. He said the proposed committee could provide an initial platform for addressing these concerns if all parties agreed that the elections had been manipulated.
Bilawal alleged that the electoral manipulation was intended to stop the PPP from winning, adding that his party had continued advocating electoral reforms under successive governments.
Separately, Bilawal characterised his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as constructive, saying both parties had collaborated on developing a joint strategy.
He stated that the PPP had supported the approval of federal government budgets and that the Centre was now providing support for development initiatives.
However, he highlighted Balochistan’s concerns over the absence of federal development projects in the province. He further disclosed that he had proposed holding federal cabinet meetings in different provinces to the prime minister.
Healthcare facilities
Discussing the proposed hospital in Larkana, Bilawal recalled that Chandka Hospital had been established as a gift from former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to the people. However, he said the facility was now struggling to accommodate its increasing number of patients.
He pointed out that patients from Balochistan, particularly Naseerabad and surrounding areas, also visit Larkana to seek medical treatment.
Reflecting on his first election as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA), Bilawal said he had reached out to the medical superintendent of Chandka Medical College to understand the challenges confronting the institution.
He said the PPP aimed to make internationally recognised healthcare services accessible to the public, maintaining that financial constraints should never prevent anyone from receiving medical treatment.
“In the present circumstances, free healthcare facilities are more important for the people,” he said.
Bilawal further stated that the Sindh government had allocated Rs45 billion for higher education. He added that the provincial administration was also prioritising the expansion of healthcare services throughout Sindh, keeping the prevailing economic conditions in mind.
