• Bilawal argues provinces can take up extra duties, will perform better than federal govt
• Backs political reconciliation; asks rulers, opposition to return to democratic fold
• Zardari calls for unity in country, lauds armed forces for ‘befitting response’ to India

LARKANA: As he made a case for greater provincial autonomy as a solution to shore up the economy, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, whose party rules Sindh and Balochistan, proposed the provinces could take up additional responsibilities, such as taxation, to help the federal government overcome crises.

The PPP leader was addressing a gathering to mark the 18th death anniversary of his mother, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, on Saturday. Benazir was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack near Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on December 27, 2007, after a public gathering.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari thanked PPP workers and supporters for their solidarity, saying that this kind of backing gives his party the strength to take the people’s issues to Islamabad and strive for their resolution.

Discussing the passage of the 27th Amendment, he said PPP workers had raised objections to certain controversial proposals. He claimed the party had successfully safeguarded provincial rights, the constitutional protection of the NFC Award and the creation of a constitutional court with equal representation from all provinces.

He said that the PPP remained a federal party committed to resolving the fiscal challenges faced by the Centre, while also striving to protect provincial autonomy under the 18th Amendment. He said the PPP conducted politics at both the national and provincial levels with sincerity, treating the Centre’s problems as its own.

“If there is an issue of fiscal space for the federal government, then as a patriot, I would want to help solve it. The PPP has its own politics and history, and as the chain binding the four provinces, we have a greater responsibility to address the Centre’s issues while protecting provincial rights,” he remarked.

“We think that instead of attempts to take authority away from the provinces, it would be better if the federal government gave more responsibilities to them. We are ready to take on additional responsibilities to help fix the economy and the government’s issues.”

Pointing to tax collection, the PPP chairman said the federal government should work together with provincial governments and give them more responsibilities in this area to boost revenue.

“We will collect taxes better than the Federal Board of Revenue and will eliminate your financial crisis.”

He maintained that the government should remove itself from the business of supplying electricity through power utility companies and instead hand this responsibility over to the provinces.

“We will perform better than the Centre. There are many other ways in which the PPP will work together with the federal government to address its issues. We should all tackle Pakistan’s economic problems together so we can improve the people’s financial situation.”

‘Internal challenges’

Referring to the security situation, the PPP chairman said that in May this year Pakistan’s armed forces defeated India on the battlefield, calling it a victory for the entire nation that had enhanced Pakistan’s global standing. He, however, acknowledged that Pakistan continued to face serious internal challenges, including economic hardship, terrorism, security concerns and political instability, but reiterated the PPP’s resolve to steer the country out of these crises.

He stressed that Pakistan could not overcome the economic crisis without first resolving the political crisis. Recalling Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s final message of reconciliation, he said political extremism must be abandoned and all political actors must return to the democratic fold.

“Political forces will have to follow a responsible political path. The opposition parties should engage in responsible politics, and government parties should also think in the national interest.”

Addressing public grievances, particularly in Hyderabad and Sukkur, he pledged that PPP would work with the federal government to resolve civic issues. On the economic front, he acknowledged that despite claims of recovery, the public had yet to feel the impact of growth, as inflation, unemployment and poverty continued to affect daily life. He said rising electricity and gas bills, education costs, medical expenses and household expenditures had eroded people’s purchasing power.

Referring to the plight of farmers after floods, he said the PPP had urged the prime minister to announce an agricultural emergency and thanked the Sindh chief minister for providing relief to farmers owning up to 25 acres through tax and input subsidies.

On education, he said the PPP aspired to provide youth from remote areas with the opportunity to study at top global institutions, adding that the Balochistan government had launched a scholarship programme to support deserving students.

Zardari lauds forces

In his address, President Asif Ali Zardari said today (Dec 27) marked the day the PPP saved the country by championing the slogan of Pakistan and refraining from any retaliation for Benazir’s assassination. He also referred to the May conflict with India, saying that the Pakistan Army gave a “befitting response” to the enemy, making it realise that Pakistan was serious.

“Modi realised it was no joke. Pakistan is Pakistan, and we, as Muslims, know how to defend ourselves.” He warned that if any evil eye or country ever looked at Pakistan again, “they should remember that Asif Zardari, the PPP, and the scions of Bhutto and Bibi are present, and we are all ready to step onto the field of battle and make sacrifices to protect our nation”.

In an earlier message, the president said, “As we reflect on this solemn day on her 18th martyrdom anniversary, we must choose unity over division.”

He stressed that Benazir “never believed in vindictiveness and vendetta”.

“She always reminded us that democracy was the best revenge. Her message calls on us to heal political rifts, strengthen democratic institutions and work together for the progress of our motherland,” he said. “On her anniversary, I reaffirm the commitment to carrying forward her vision of a democratic, inclusive, tolerant, pluralist and forward-looking Pakistan,” he added. “Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto believed deeply in an inclusive Pakistan. She rejected sectarianism, bigotry and intolerance, and consistently spoke for the protection of minorities,” President Zardari said about his late wife.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2025