KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to abandon what he described as extremist politics, warning that continued confrontation with political opponents was damaging the party and the country.
He called on the opposition party to restore contact with rival political forces and return to Parliament to regain its political standing.
Bilawal made the remarks while inaugurating the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Sports Complex in Karachi, where he congratulated the city's young people on the opening of the facility. He said the PPP wanted to see young people holding pens rather than weapons, stressing the importance of providing them with opportunities in education, sports and development.
He maintained that some political forces were pushing Karachi's youth towards criminal activities, while certain parties were promoting hatred and division.
The PPP chairman also referred to the inauguration of the third section of Thar Coal Block II in Tharparkar, highlighting the importance of development initiatives alongside facilities that encourage young people to participate in constructive activities.
PTI ‘under pressure’
Criticising PTI's approach to politics, Bilawal said the party had disputes with the federal government, provincial administrations and other political groups, with the resulting confrontation carrying consequences for the country.
He argued that PTI would struggle to recover its lost political position unless it abandoned political extremism and engaged with other parties through dialogue. According to Bilawal, the party's confrontational approach had also left its workers frustrated and weakened its role in federal politics.
He warned that if the situation continued, PTI founder Imran Khan could surpass President Asif Ali Zardari's 14-year period in prison, drawing a comparison between their respective periods of detention.
Bilawal also addressed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, advising him to adopt a more constructive political approach if he was genuinely committed to Imran Khan. He said the provincial chief minister should move away from confrontation and focus on protecting his government through political engagement.
Governor's rule
Discussing the political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Bilawal described governor's rule as a constitutional and legal option but stressed that it should be considered only as a last resort.
He said the PPP did not want emergency measures or governor's rule to become necessary, maintaining that such steps were intended for extraordinary circumstances rather than routine political disputes. However, he warned that the provincial government's conduct could push the situation in that direction.
Bilawal claimed that the federal government had been prepared to impose an emergency a few days earlier and that an agreement had been reached between the government and opposition parties. He nevertheless reiterated that emergency measures and governor's rule should remain options of last resort.
Questioning Sohail Afridi over the breakdown of negotiations, Bilawal welcomed Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's role in the talks. He said political disputes should be resolved through dialogue and democratic processes rather than confrontation.
Karachi's politics
Reflecting on Karachi's political history, Bilawal claimed that the city's mandate had been taken away from the public in 1988 and handed to others. He recalled a period marked by violence and bloodshed, saying the PPP had played a role in improving conditions through sustained political struggle and sacrifices.
He said the establishment of peace had helped Karachi move towards prosperity. He also criticised political claims that the city would be transformed dramatically if control were handed to particular groups, referring to past politics that had pitted brother against brother.
Addressing questions about local government powers, Bilawal said a local government system operated across Sindh, from Larkana to Karachi. He questioned why the PPP would oppose granting authority to elected local representatives.
On the creation of new provinces, he said people should not be forced to support a province where they did not want one. Equally, he argued, demands from communities seeking provincial status should not be delayed unnecessarily.
Bilawal said the PPP would support proposals to establish provinces in South Punjab and Gilgit, emphasising that public aspirations and democratic principles should guide decisions on the issue.
Electoral reforms
The PPP chairman also addressed electoral reforms, saying PTI was among the parties making the strongest allegations of election rigging. He suggested that the party might not attend a meeting of the electoral reforms committee.
He urged PTI to restore communication with other political parties and participate in parliamentary proceedings, arguing that engagement was necessary to build consensus on electoral reforms and other national issues.
His remarks came amid continuing political tensions, including disagreements between the federal government and opposition parties over negotiations and the future of the provincial administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Global concerns
Bilawal also expressed concern about regional tensions and the threat of a global energy crisis. He said the world was facing significant challenges involving petrol and diesel supplies, warning that agriculture and food production could face even greater pressure in the coming days.
He pointed to disruptions affecting maritime routes in the region, raising concerns about the movement of energy supplies and the potential consequences for international trade.
The PPP chairman stressed the importance of timely measures to address possible shortages of energy and food as regional tensions threaten supply chains and increase uncertainty over the availability of essential commodities.