Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, December 27, 2025: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday stressed the need for political reconciliation to steer the country out of its ongoing political and economic crises, saying President Asif Ali Zardari was the only leader capable of ending deepening political polarisation.
Addressing a large public gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh to mark the 18th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal said political divisions were damaging democracy, the economy and national security.
“There is one person who can take Pakistan out of political polarisation — the king of reconciliation — and that person is Asif Ali Zardari,” he said. “If Pakistan is pulled out of the political crisis, it will automatically help the country emerge from the economic crisis as well.”
The PPP chairman emphasised that the country’s challenges could only be resolved through political engagement rather than confrontation. “If we want to resolve our problems, political forces will have to find a political way forward,” he said, urging opposition parties to practise responsible politics and calling on ruling parties to act in the national interest.
Recalling the turmoil following Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in 2007, Bilawal said the country had faced a serious threat to its unity amid chants of “Pakistan na khappay”. “It was Asif Ali Zardari who saved the federation by raising the slogan of ‘Pakistan khappay’ and removed a dictator,” he added.
Paying tribute to his mother’s legacy, Bilawal said Benazir Bhutto had consistently rejected politics of revenge and extremism, even in the most testing circumstances. “Bibi never demanded revenge. Her final message was reconciliation,” he said, noting that her last book also centred on political harmony.
Warning against the resurgence of political extremism, the PPP chairman urged all sides to refrain from attacking state institutions. “Abusing institutions and incidents like May 9 do not fall within the boundaries of democratic politics,” he said, referring to the violent events following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in May 2023.
On regional security, Bilawal praised Pakistan’s armed forces for what he described as a decisive response to Indian aggression earlier this year. “In May, our armed forces defeated India. This victory was not just Pakistan’s, it was the victory of the entire nation,” he said, also commending the Pakistan Air Force.
He claimed India was still struggling to accept the outcome of the confrontation, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had faded from the global stage following the conflict. Bilawal also credited President Zardari with strengthening Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China, saying he laid the foundations of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and enhanced defence cooperation.
Defending the 27th Constitutional Amendment, Bilawal termed it a victory for the people and said it reflected the vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. He said the PPP opposed controversial amendments but supported reforms aligned with national interest, including the establishment of a constitutional court.
Call for greater provincial autonomy
On economic governance, Bilawal reiterated the PPP’s demand for greater provincial autonomy, arguing that empowering provinces would improve governance and revenue collection. “We can collect more taxes than the FBR if provinces are empowered,” he said, calling for taxation reforms in coordination with provincial governments.
He also called for devolving control of electricity distribution companies such as Sepco, Hesco and Fesco to the provinces, saying they were better placed to manage them efficiently.
While acknowledging public concerns over inflation, Bilawal said the inflation rate had declined compared to the previous PTI government, though he admitted people had yet to feel the relief. Highlighting Sindh government initiatives, he said free healthcare facilities were being provided across the province, including cardiac care at NICVD and kidney and liver treatment at Gambat.
He said the Sindh government was constructing two million homes for flood victims and had granted ownership rights to affected women. He also thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for declaring an agricultural emergency on the PPP’s recommendation, saying it had provided relief to farmers.
Bilawal concluded by urging both government and opposition to prioritise national interest over political point-scoring. “The federation survives when politics is based on reconciliation, not revenge,” he said.
‘Pakistan will respond decisively’
Addressing the same gathering, President Asif Ali Zardari warned India that Pakistan would respond decisively to any future aggression. “India may be a bigger power, but it does not have the courage that Pakistan has,” he said, adding that New Delhi had realised Islamabad was fully capable of defending itself.
“India should be thankful that we showed restraint; otherwise, many more of their aircraft could have been brought down,” the president remarked. He said anyone casting an “evil eye” on Pakistan should remember that the country remained united and prepared to defend itself.
Zardari said Pakistan had exercised restraint during the recent conflict despite having the capability to inflict greater damage, warning that the country remained fully prepared if war was imposed again. “India could not stand on its feet even for four days,” he said, recalling that he had refused advice to take shelter during hostilities, insisting that Pakistan’s leadership stood ready to face any challenge.
