Tag: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

  • ‘Election and democracy halted for one person’s return’: Bilawal takes swipe at Nawaz

    ‘Election and democracy halted for one person’s return’: Bilawal takes swipe at Nawaz

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari made thinly veiled references to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif while addressing a public gathering held in connection with the 16th anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy, outside Bilawal House in Karachi.

    He said on Wednesday that the country’s constitution, election, and democracy were halted for “one person’s return.”

    Despite being partners in the last government and demanding the former three-time prime minister’s return, the PPP has kept raising concerns that Nawaz might get “special relief”.

    Nawaz will return to Pakistan on Saturday (October 21) and has been granted protective bail till October 24 in Avenfield and Al-Azizia case. Arrest warrants in Toshakhana case have also been suspended till October 24.

    “Our previous allies will have to acknowledge that delaying elections will not ‘give respect to vote’, rather disrespect it,” Bilawal said during a public rally in Karachi, hitting out at the PML-N, whose slogan has been “vote ko izzt do (give respect to the sanctity of vote)”.

    The PPP chairman also said that he wants to end the politics of divide and abuse, adding that if politicos keep fighting amongst themselves, the country will not progress.

    “We can swallow the ‘bitter pill’ [of holding elections] in more than 90 days only when the election commission announces a date for the polls,” he said.

    He called for holding elections, saying only people had the right to choose their leaders and make decisions for their future.

    “We have to leave politics of abuses and divide behind. We need new leadership… a leadership that is not stuck in the past but thinks about the future. We don’t want 90s’ Pakistan or 2017’s Pakistan. We want today’s Pakistan… Pakistan of 2023… a modern Pakistan,” he added.

    “The tenure of [coalition] government of the last 16 months taught us that Pakistan cannot be run from London,” he said.

    In view of the skyrocketing inflation and depleting economic reserves, the PPP leader demanded that relief should be given to the common man instead of the elite.

  • ‘I have passed all exams of life,’ Zardari tells ‘enemies’.

    ‘I have passed all exams of life,’ Zardari tells ‘enemies’.

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, has told his enemies that “elections are near” and he has passed all “exams of life”, Geo has reported.

    While addressing a dinner party given by PPP leader Ghulam Qadir Mari in Naushero Feroz district on Tuesday, Zardari said, “I was born in this land (Sindh), and I will continue to strive for the development of this land.”

    The PPP co-chairman also said that he is the son of soil and will always struggle for it.

    “The PPP has always served the people. I have struggled all my life, and my workers have also supported me,” said the former president, adding, “We know each other. Allah gave us the opportunity, so we served the people and this soil. I have to be buried in this soil. It is our duty to serve it.”

    The PPP leader also mentioned that he gave Pashtuns their separate identity, and by bringing the 18th Amendment, his party gave provincial service.

    Recounting the sacrifices of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, Zardari said, “Today, I am serving you, then Bilawal Bhutto will serve, as will Aseefa Bhutto. We are all with the people of Sindh.”

  • PPP will form the next government, says Bilawal Bhutto

    PPP will form the next government, says Bilawal Bhutto

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said on Monday while addressing an audience at Sukkur’s Jinnah Stadium, that it is “evident” that the PPP will form the next government.

    The former Foreign Minister also said that “The writing is on the wall” that his party will be in power in the next government.

    Talking about the upcoming polls, Bilawal Bhutto stressed that general elections are inevitable.

    He added, “They [elections] will be held within 90 days, if not then within 100 or even within 120 days at most.”

    Earlier, while speaking at a ceremony in Hyderabad, the PPP head said that his former political allies are running away from elections.

    Without naming names, the PPP leader took a jibe at former ally Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for refusing to support elections within the constitutionally mandated 90-day window.

  • It is ECP’s responsibility to conduct elections: PPP

    It is ECP’s responsibility to conduct elections: PPP

    In a meeting with the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) expressed concerns about the upcoming general elections, Geo has reported, reminding the constitutional body that it is its duty to hold timely elections.

    The party has reservations about the date of the elections, stressing that election should be held within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA) as per the constitution.

    On August 17, the electoral body announced the schedule of new delimitations to be carried out as per the new census approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) earlier this month.

    According to the ECP schedule, four months are required for the new delimitation, which means that a general election is not possible in the country within 90 days after the dissolution of the provincial and national assemblies.

    “We had a meeting with the ECP in a pleasant environment, during which we put forward all our reservations,” said PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman in a press conference held after the meeting.

  • Bilawal expresses dissatisfaction with Nawaz and Zardari’s political stance

    Bilawal expresses dissatisfaction with Nawaz and Zardari’s political stance

    In a rare public display of divergence within the ruling coalition, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed his unhappiness with the political stance of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz head Nawaz Sharif and his father, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

    While addressing the National Assembly (NA) on Monday, Bilawal Bhutto categorically stated that, “Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari should make decisions that make it easier for me [Bilawal] and Maryam Nawaz to pursue politics in the future”.

    In an important statement, Bilawal Bhutto said that his government had failed to keep institutions within their constitutional limits.

    He regretted that, despite his previous assertions that institutions should operate within their legal restrictions, the objective had not been met.
    He urged all political parties to think about how they can tackle the issue as elections approach.

    Referring to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the Foreign Minister said that it is a success of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to remove the ‘Selected Prime Minister’ through a no confidence motion.

    However, Bilawal Bhutto also mentioned that it’s the responsibility of the opposition to criticise the wrong policies of the government. He pointed out that PDM has an opposition party that has no concern for democracy and doesn’t even believe in parliament.

    This opposition party crossed the “red line,” and it happened for the first time in history, he added.

    Regarding the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, the foreign minister said, “I have seen politicians either in jail or in politics in Pakistan.”

  • Bilawal Bhutto attends unveiling of Benazir Bhutto’s statue at Madame Tussauds in Dubai

    Bilawal Bhutto attends unveiling of Benazir Bhutto’s statue at Madame Tussauds in Dubai

    Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended the Commemoration Ceremony at which a wax figure of his mother, the Muslim world’s first female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Dubai.

    In a tweet on Sunday, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman said that, “With immense pride and humility, I attended the unveiling of the statue of the first Pakistani personality to be commemorated at Madame Tussauds today in Dubai – the inimitable, the indomitable, the irreplaceable, my mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.”

    He hoped that  statue will serve to inspire generations to come and remind us of the enduring resonance of the values of his mother lived and fought for – democracy, justice, human rights, rule of law, compassion, and freedom.

    He further expressed gratitude to the Madame Tussauds Dubai on behave of the Bhutto Family for the gesture, he said, “My family and I, and indeed, all Pakistanis are profoundly grateful to Madame Tussauds Dubai for honouring Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s memory and legacy.”

    The late Benazir Bhutto was the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Muslim world. She became the head of the country at the age of 35, after a prolonged fight against the dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq, who had hanged her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

    Benazir Bhutto was killed in a terrorist attack in Rawalpindi after giving a speech at an election rally in December 2007. Just two months earlier, she had survived a terrorist attack on her convoy after her triumphant return to Pakistan.

  • Bilawal visits Tokyo, says Pakistan needs ‘trade, not aid’

    Bilawal visits Tokyo, says Pakistan needs ‘trade, not aid’

    Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, on his maiden visit to Japan, has declared his intention to boost trade and promote diplomatic ties between the two countries on Sunday. He stated that Pakistan needed trade and not aid.

    Giving an address at an event organised by the Pakistani diaspora living in Tokyo, Bilawal maintained that the two countries have agreed to further deepen and enhance their mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in multiple areas. These include trade, investment, human resource development and exchange, IT, tourism and agriculture sectors.

    “We have also jointly agreed to explore the possibility of working together on targeted programs with higher impact in the domains of solarisation, desalination, and water purification and housing and infrastructure rebuilding in the floods affected areas in Pakistan,” Bilawal said in a joint press stakeout along with his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi, as reported by The News.

    Empowering our workforce

    In addition, the two sides have agreed to conduct language skill assessment tests for the Japanese language in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of skilled workers. The Nation reported that Bilawal underscored the importance of Pakistanis living abroad, stating: “The overseas Paki­stanis are our assets, who are play­ing vital role to promote bilateral ties between Pakistan and Japan. Our population consists of 65 per­cent youth and we want Pakistani youth to get employment in Japan.”

    Potential for growth

    The Foreign Minister met with repre­sentatives of the Japan Interna­tional Development Agency (JICA) and the Japan External Trade Orga­nization (JETRO) to discuss poten­tial for trade and investment. He also stated that Pakistan’s incumbent government was working on economic diplomacy in order to bring prosperity to the country.

    Bilawal also went on to praise Japan’s advancement in IT and other fields, saying Pakistan could learn from them. Both sides have seen a new vigour in their relationship through continued high-level exchanges.

  • What is happening in Dubai? Zardari, Bilawal meet Maryam Nawaz

    What is happening in Dubai? Zardari, Bilawal meet Maryam Nawaz

    The Co-Chairman and Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Asif Ali Zardari and Bilwal Butto-Zardari have met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Organiser, Maryam Nawaz, on Monday in Dubai.

    The agenda of the meeting was economic and political issues in the country. According to the sources of Geo News, Maryam Nawaz took the two PPP heads in confidence over the ongoing political situation in the country.

    Another meeting will likely be held tonight between PML-N and PPP to further discuss solutions for the economic and political crisis.
    This meeting is important as PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan is expected after a law passed by National Assembly to limit the lifetime disqualification to five years.

    PML-N sources have revealed that a meeting held on Sunday afternoon had the longest discussion, but the attendees have not been disclosed as of now.

  • HumSabKiBenazir: Twitter remembers Benazir Bhutto Shaheed on her 70th Birthday

    HumSabKiBenazir: Twitter remembers Benazir Bhutto Shaheed on her 70th Birthday

    Former Prime Minister and Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto is being remembered today on her 70th birth anniversary.
    She was born on June 21, 1953 and passed away on December 27, 2007, at the age of 54.

    Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, the daughter of Benzair Bhutto, wrote in a tweet, “Shaheed Mohatarma Benazir Bhutto led Pakistan through its darkest hours, and her legacy can guide us out of darkness today.”

    PPP leaders, members and Twitter users are remembering the trailblazer on her on her 70th Birthday:

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  • Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pays tribute to UN peacekeeping forces

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pays tribute to UN peacekeeping forces

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday paid tribute to United Nation (UN) peacekeeping forces.
    “On the occasion of International Day of UN Peacekeepers, we pay tribute to the 75 years long history of UN Peacekeeping. As a top troop contributor since 1960, over 200,000 Pakistani men & women have served with valour in 46 UN Peacekeeping Missions in all parts of the world 168 of our bravest have sacrificed their lives in this noble cause,” Bilawal wrote in his tweet.

    “Over 4,300 peacekeepers including female officers are serving with distinction under UN flag today. We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that peacekeeping remains an effective mechanism for int’l peace & security,” the foreign minister added.

    The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is being observed today to highlight the role of the force in world peace.

    Over the past 75 years, United Nations Peacekeepers have saved countless precious lives for global peace and security.

    This day commemorates the efforts of the United Nations to eliminate human suffering, establish a situation of lasting peace and order in countries with wars and internal conflicts.