PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday squarely blamed the PML-N and the PTI for the current economic mess, saying the two groups sowed hatred and division by turning their political differences into personal enmity, driving a wedge in society to the detriment of the country, economy and every Pakistani.
Addressing an election rally in Peshawar, Bilawal expressed gratitude for the rousing welcome he received upon his arrival in Peshawar.
Currently on a whirlwind tour of the four provinces ahead of the Feb 8 elections, Bilawal mentioned that he had already addressed 10 conventions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) January 27, 2024As the polling day draws closer, Bilawal questioned those who advocate for postponing the electoral exercise using excuses of chilly weather and security concerns, wondering about the motives behind such suggestions.
He highlighted that PPP leaders, on nationwide tours, faced similar security threats, but they did not feel scared or threatened as they were loyalists of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
Bilawal acknowledged that the country was surrounded by perils, with issues of unemployment, inflation and poverty intensifying daily. He said the severity of the circumstances the nation was in was unprecedented: on one hand, Pakistan faces a severe economic crisis, on the other hand, terrorism is spreading its tentacles again.
The PPP chairman blamed the PML-N and the PTI for the current economic mess, saying the two parties indulged in hate and divisive politics, driving a wedge in society to the detriment of the country, economy and every Pakistani.
Bilawal asserted his desire to lead Pakistan into the new politics of 2024, contrasting it with opponents who cling to old politics reminiscent of the 1990s.
He also emphasised that the PPP did not copy-paste its manifesto, unlike other political parties.
Bilawal identified inflation, poverty and unemployment as the three biggest challenges facing Pakistan and pledged that upon assuming power, his party would overcome these challenges.
He reiterated his pledge to double salaries, regularize slums, and provide ownership rights to dwellers, promising interest-free loans to women for businesses.
He said he would make certain labourers got their fair share as he gave a pledge on assistance for labourers through “Benazir labourer card”.
Read also: PPP unveils manifesto addressing poverty, inflation and unemployment
Bilawal alleged that it was the PML-N which brought false cases against late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and former president Asif Ali Zardari. This party later faced the consequences of its actions, he added.
He said the PPP had also warned the PTI founder against politics of revenge, but this advice drew a blank.
Read more: Bilawal extends open invitation for debate with Nawaz ahead of elections
Bilawal said his party would bring a paradigm shift by eliminating hate and divisive politics, focusing on policies that benefit impoverished people and labourers.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 27, 2024He declared that the PPP was the true representative party of poor Pakistanis, while the PML-N represented the aristocracy and elite class.
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) January 27, 2024