• Urges opposition to abandon ‘extremism’, play ‘responsible’ role
• Says attacks on state institutions will invite legal action
• Stresses use of parliament to create space for tolerance

KARACHI: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday stressed the need for political reconciliation, calling on both the government and the opposition to move away from confrontation and create space for dialogue.

Speaking to reporters at the inauguration of paediatric intensive care units under the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) in Larkana, Mr Bhutto-Zardari recalled that his mother, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, had given the message of reconciliation in politics.

Linking it with the country’s progress and economic prosperity, he said the ruling party and its allies would have to play their part for this while the opposition would also have to play a “responsible role”.

“If stringent [measures] are taken in response to the politics of extremism, there should be no complaints,” he said, quoting the English idiom: “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

In apparent reference to the PTI, he said that attacks on national institutions over “a small NAB case” or an arrest would invite action under the law and the Constitution. He added that had the PPP been in a similar position, it might have faced more severe consequences.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari urged the PTI to move away from the “politics of extremism”, saying it would benefit the party or its workers and have a positive impact on the country’s politics.

He said that while Benazir Bhutto’s philosophy centred on reconciliation, President Asif Ali Zardari had played the “biggest role” in implementing it.

“From the first day after the election till yesterday in my speech, and even within the party, my stance has been that President Zardari will have to play his role. President Zardari not just has a (track record) but also the people’s confidence that he is capable of playing a role for reconciliation in politics,” the PPP chairman said.

However, he said the present situation carried a “unique dynamic”, pointing to tensions on the frontiers with India and Afghanistan and a rise in terrorism at home.

In this situation, the role of opposition parties is of most importance, he said, warning that if opposition parties “operate like an extremist party”, the state’s response would be in accordance with that.

“But if they adopt a political attitude, other parties may get some political space to play a role in reducing the political division and polarisation in the country,” he said.

He said reconciliation remained the way forward and that an enabling environment would have to be created, otherwise the country and its people would bear the costs.

Asked about Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s demand for fresh elections, Mr Bhutto-Zardari said all parties should ensure that whenever elections were held, they were free and fair.

He called for electoral reforms to strengthen public trust in the Election Commission, saying there was little point in holding polls if allegations of rigging were to follow again.

“Now that there is time and the writing on the wall is that elections will not be held early, serious political parties should try to bring electoral reforms aimed at increasing the trust of people, as well as political parties, in the Election Commission,” he said.

Referring to complaints about recent by-elections, he said he would not want any polls, whether by-elections or general elections, to be held in conditions that could lead to “more political instability”.

Reiterating his call for reconciliation, he said the government would also have to take measures. “Parliament should be made functional. The platform of parliament should be used,” he said, adding that politicians and political workers would have to take steps to create space for tolerance.

Earlier, Mr Bhutto-Zardari said that while the government claimed the economy was improving and indicators appeared better on paper, there was still a “crisis of affordability” in the country.

He also said the PPP favoured public-private partnership as a workable model for privatisation.

In response to another question, he said political issues required political solutions and argued that “long-term solutions to our issues, economic difficulties and questions of national security lie in genuine political stability and in the lasting innings of one political party”.

He added, “All political forces and our senior politicians should think about what measures need to be taken to establish genuine political stability.”

Meanwhile, Provincial Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho briefed Mr Bhutto-Zardari on the paediatric intensive care units established under the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro, Provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, MNA Aijaz Jakhrani, MPA Jamil Ahmed Soomro and other party leaders were also present.

The PPP chief thanked the Sindh government and the health department for the international-standard critical care facilities for children. He said the Sindh government, after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, had expanded paediatric emergency and intensive care services beyond Karachi and set up centres in Larkana, Sukkur, Nawabshah and Jamshoro.

He said paediatric intensive care was costly, estimating daily expenses between Rs50,000 and Rs100,000, and that under SICHN such services were being provided free of cost to children from low-income families.

M.B. Kalhoro in Larkana also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2025