Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, addressing journalists at the Parliament House, spoke extensively on the challenges facing Pakistan’s politics, economy, and judiciary. He highlighted the need for legislative reforms and constitutional amendments, emphasizing the PPP’s role in restoring the Constitution through the 18th Amendment, following the legacy of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Bilawal stressed the dysfunction across institutions, including Parliament and the judiciary, pointing out that justice remains elusive for many, including his own family. He advocated for both independent and responsible journalism, calling for mechanisms to address false reporting.
Addressing national security, Bilawal expressed concern over the rising incidents of terrorism, particularly in Balochistan and KP. He called for a collaborative effort between provincial and federal governments to restore peace, warning against politicizing security issues. He noted the formation of an all-party parliamentary committee to address these concerns and foster cooperation within Parliament.
The PPP chairman also reiterated the significance of the Charter of Democracy (CoD), noting that 90% of its provisions have been implemented. However, key reforms, including the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and NAB reforms, remain pending. He stressed the need for judicial reforms to ensure swift and affordable justice.
Bilawal opposed the idea of extending the tenure of the Chief Justice, advocating for consensus-based decisions. He also reaffirmed PPP’s stance against governor’s rule in KP but acknowledged the limited duration of such a rule under the 18th Amendment.
He concluded by emphasizing PPP’s commitment to addressing inflation, poverty, and institutional reforms, noting that the party’s focus is on solving the people’s problems, not simply gaining power.