Says inflation, unemployment are at historic high in country
MUZAFFARGARH
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Wednesday that the economy would improve by giving relief to the common man. “The people of Muzaffargarh supported the PPP in every era. We sent home the selected prime minister who had been imposed [on the country],” he said while addressing party workers in Muzaffargarh today.
“Inflation and unemployment are at a historic high in the country. Traders, farmers and labourers all are worried,” he added. “Making the farmer rich is our belief. The solution to the problems of the people lies in the manifesto of Quaid-e-Awam [Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto],” he emphasised.
“We will steer the country out of economic problems. We will give direct subsidies to small landowners. If the farmer is prosperous, Pakistan will be prosperous. Instead of big investors, subsidies should be given to the common man,” he added. “The PPP was never afraid of elections. Those who insult the institutions have to be confronted and defeated. The day is not far when the PPP will be in the government,” he claimed. “On May 9, institutions were attacked. A party attempted to weaken the institutions,” he deplored.
“Elections should be held as soon as possible. No single party can solve the problems faced by the country. One party says that elections will be held in February. How does one party know that elections will be held in February?” he pointed out. “I wish there would be the arrow sign in every constituency. The election slogan will be ‘everyone’s Pakistan’,” he declared. Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP’s relation with Muzaffargarh dates back three generations.
“We have combatted anti-democratic entities together in every era, be it that of General Zia, General Musharraf or the recent selected rule. He said that the people of Muzaffargarh supported the party as it initiated the no-confidence movement and participated in the long march to reach Islamabad, which made it possible for us to succeed in a feat that was perceived as impossible to achieve.
We were able to oust a puppet PM from office who had not only paved the way for political, economic or constitutional crises but also left us in a quagmire when it came to foreign affairs. Today, Pakistan is riddled with a plethora of issues. As I have been travelling by road, I have been apprised of the problems of the people through them directly, and their issues range from the ever-increasing inflation to meeting basic needs such as food, health and education,” Chairman Bilawal said.
Talking to the media men during his visit to Muzaffargarh on Wednesday, Bilawal said that even the election commission did not know when the polls will be held, and only one party had this knowledge. He said his party tried to sign a new charter of democracy, but it could not materialize.
He further stated that attempts were made to weaken the institutions by resorting to attacks on May 9, adding that the national institutions were attacked on May 9 owing to personal interests and a conspiracy. “Only those who were not involved in the May 9 incidents should be involved in the political process,” Bilawal suggested.
He also announced that his party’s election slogan this time would be “Hum Sab ka Pakistan”. Bilawal said there were several problems the country is facing today but they were the ones who had the solution. He vowed that support for the poor and hardworking would be increased. “If the farmer is prosperous, Pakistan will also prosper.”
He told the audience that he hoped his party will clinch five National Assembly seats from Muzaffargarh as opposed to the three in the previous elections. “An incapable, incompetent person was imposed on the country,” he remarked, adding that the solution to the current crises was in the manifesto of former premiers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.
He said PPP believed that Pakistan’s pressing issues and myriad crises necessitated engagement with all political parties to secure a sustainable solution. He advocated for the establishment of an “equilibrium” that permitted political parties to operate within defined boundaries while also aiding in guiding the country out of the ongoing crisis.
“Regrettably, in Punjab, our political landscape has become polarised to such an extent that we’re transforming into enemies rather than mere political rivals,” Bilawal said. He asserted that the PDM and PPP had previously collaborated as allies during the coalition government, but now both entities were accountable for their independent political decisions.
In response to a question, Bilawal mentioned that the party’s Central Executive Committee would convene tomorrow to formulate an electoral strategy. He emphasised that delimitation, as per the Constitution, could be completed in 90 days, and any deviation from this timeline would require a decision from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Bilawal demanded a specific election timeline, saying “whether it’s 90 days, 100 days, 120 days, or even 10 years”, urging for a clear date to be provided. “Just give us a date,” he said. He pointed out that the Constitution unequivocally mandates elections within 90 days of assembly dissolution, seeking clarification if this were not the case.
Earlier, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari distributed certificates to the winners of a declamation contest on the topic “Pakistan’s International Obligations” at the NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan.
He also inaugurated two blocks at the Institute named after Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. They both believed in providing education opportunities to the youth especially higher education, Chairman PPP said.
This is why the PPP focuses on providing opportunities to the students from less developed areas. It is commendable that this institute did not increase the fee for students since 2012. The philosophy of the PPP is that there should be no hurdles in providing education and health. Institutions like these prove that public institutions can deliver education of a high standard. He also thanked the Institute for extending help during the floods last year. — DNA
