Karachi, October 3,2026: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for a written agreement between the federal and provincial governments to jointly combat terrorism, stressing that political differences should not hinder efforts to address the worsening security situation.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Treatment Plant-I in Karachi, Bilawal said the Centre and provinces must work together to tackle the growing threat of terrorism.
The former foreign minister urged all political parties to keep their political interests separate from the issue of terrorism, warning that deteriorating security conditions would not remain confined to a single province.
Bilawal alleged that India was behind terrorist activities originating from Afghanistan and criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for what he described as failing to give sufficient importance to the issue despite frequent attacks in the province.
He warned that continued lack of cooperation between the provincial and federal governments could eventually lead to consideration of constitutional options, including Governor’s Rule or an emergency.
Referring to political tensions between Imran Khan-founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the PML-N-led federal government over the planned long march towards Islamabad, Bilawal said all political parties should recognise the importance of ongoing negotiations and seek a political solution in the national interest.
The PTI had postponed its planned long march from September 27 to October 4. The party has said the protest is aimed at securing the release of its founder, Imran Khan, and what it describes as restoration of constitutional supremacy.
Bilawal said political stability would strengthen democracy and enable the country to address terrorism more effectively without resorting to emergency measures.
He said the federal government had previously considered imposing Governor’s Rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but the PPP believed every effort should first be made to resolve the issue through political means.
According to Bilawal, his party had proposed that political parties be allowed to engage in talks with the PTI to persuade it to call off its long march.
He said political parties had the right to protest, but maintained that the PTI’s protest had already achieved its objectives and should now be concluded.
Referring to the disruption caused by the protest in Islamabad, Bilawal said the capital had effectively remained shut for 10 days and urged political workers to acknowledge what he described as their success and end the march.
