June 21, 2024
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), announced a bold initiative to provide free solar energy to residents of Karachi in an effort to alleviate the city’s persistent load-shedding problems. Speaking at an event in Lyari on Friday, which celebrated the birthday of Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal reaffirmed the PPP’s longstanding commitment to Karachi and highlighted the party’s historical struggles against military dictators and its unwavering support for the city’s residents.
Bilawal emphasized his personal connection to Karachi, noting that both he and Benazir Bhutto were born in the city. He expressed gratitude to the people of Karachi for their support, which allowed the PPP to form the Sindh government again. He called on Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to focus on addressing Karachi’s pressing issues, particularly the severe load-shedding that affects the city’s residents.
In his address, Bilawal praised CM Sindh and his team for their efforts in resolving problems that emerged during the caretaker government’s tenure, especially in improving law and order. He expressed optimism for further improvements under the PPP’s governance.
Bilawal highlighted the national load-shedding crisis, noting that regions such as Sindh, Balochistan, southern Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa endure 16 to 18 hours of power outages daily. He pointed out the financial struggles residents face in paying their electricity bills. To address this, Bilawal announced plans to introduce a project in the upcoming budget to provide free solar power to the poor and subsidized rates for those who can afford it. This initiative aims to significantly reduce the impact of load-shedding on Karachi’s residents.
Budget Negotiations with the Government
Bilawal also addressed the ongoing budget negotiations with the federal government, emphasizing the economic challenges facing the country. He stressed the importance of including the PPP in budget discussions to ensure that the concerns of their constituencies, which primarily represent the country’s poor, are adequately addressed.
He expressed disappointment that the government did not consult the PPP earlier in the budget process but highlighted the need for unity in overcoming the economic crisis. Bilawal revealed that PPP representatives are currently in Islamabad negotiating with the government to resolve outstanding issues and work towards passing the budget. He expressed trust in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s intentions to honor promises made to the PPP.
Call for Political Unity
In his speech, Bilawal criticized the rise of divisive politics and urged political parties to prioritize the country’s welfare over personal grievances. He emphasized the need for constructive dialogue in parliament to address national issues effectively. Bilawal called for democratic forces to engage in dialogue to strengthen the democratic system, honoring the sacrifices made by the people of Lyari and across Pakistan.
He expressed hope that unified political efforts in parliament could lead to solutions for economic and other national challenges, reflecting the aspirations of the people. Bilawal affirmed the PPP’s commitment to advocating for the rights of the people and continuing their struggle until their demands are met. He reiterated his personal commitment to the development of Karachi and the welfare of its residents, marking a significant step in addressing the city’s ongoing energy crisis.
