ISLAMABAD: As the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is head over heels for engaging the mighty gurus for candid table talks, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday advised the beleaguered opposition to hold dialogue only with the government instead of inviting the establishment.

Speaking in National Assembly amid anti-government slogans by PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) lawmakers, Bilawal slammed PTI for its “double standards” over remarks regarding dialogue with the establishment.

He said that President Asif Ali Zardari advocated for dialogue among political parties as he deems it as the only solution to problems.

Probe into May 9 riots: Bilawal endorses PTI’s joint commission demand

He said that the president established Pakistan’s policy regarding Kashmir and Palestine categorically, adding the PTI lawmakers only raise their personal issues instead of discussing the issues faced by people.

He called upon the opposition to seek solutions for the nation’s problems instead of focusing on their personal issues, alleging that the opposition has forgotten that they represent the nation.

He lamented that the opposition claims of fighting for rule of law, but the fact of the matter is that they are not ready to shake hands with elected representatives and instead are running after the establishment for talks.

“They are not interested in democracy, nor the rule of law, only in their personal issues. It is the politics of hypocrisy,” he added

He further criticised the opposition, saying the protests are their democratic right, but working for the nation’s welfare should be their priority.

Referring to the upcoming budget, Bilawal said that the government and the opposition both should play their part in the budget.

Referring to the Sindh government’s work in healthcare as a “historic success,” Bilawal claimed that people from all provinces travel to Sindh for treatment.

He also stated that the Sindh government has targeted the structural issues in the education department. He talked about the issue of ghost teachers and explained that through the introduction of a biometric system, the issue was largely taken care of.

Referring to recent protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), he was thankful to the prime minister for allocating funds for Kashmiris as it was their rightful demand.

Bilawal also talked about the wheat scandal, urging the prime minister to probe the matter, adding agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy.

He suggested that instead of spending billions on subsidies, the government should incentivise farmers through a kissan card and noted that the agriculture sector is struggling due to inconsistent policies and “political” decisions.

He urged the government to impose an agriculture emergency as a 10-year policy, besides removing restrictions on exports.

Regarding farmers’ protests in Punjab, Balochistan, and other provinces, he said the former caretaker government should be held accountable.

“The opposition leadership committed terrorism on May 9 by disrespecting the monuments of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country,” he added.

He described the opposition members of the Imran Khan-founded party as non-political and non-serious, lacking interest in the country’s politics. He claimed that their leader was crying in jail for release.

Amid slogans of “Go Zardari Go, Mr 10 Per Cent”, etc, by opposition lawmakers, Bilawal continued his speech after putting on headphones while several PPP lawmakers gathered around him after PTI-backed SIC lawmakers’ started protest.

About chief minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Bilawal said that the PTI first gifted Buzdar to Punjab and now wishes for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to suffer in the same way by appointing such a chief minister like Ali Amin Gandapur.

He commended President Asif Ali Zardari for focusing on national issues in the speech, and avoiding personal or political matters.

The National Assembly is continuing discussion on the President’s address to the joint sitting of the Parliament.

While participating in the debate on the Presidential address to the joint sitting of parliament, Awais Haider said that the development of backward areas should be the top priority of the government in the forthcoming budget.

Shagufta Jumani pointed out that it was President Zardari who handed over his powers to the parliament.

Asiya Naz Tanoli said that a particular political party had made big claims of transforming Pakistan but failed to deliver every promise.

Riaz Fatyana called for enhancing resources for the promotion of education including science and technology. He emphasised dialogue among all political parties to take the country towards political and economic stability.

Shehla Raza said that PPP always pursued the path of reconciliation and consensus building with the political parties to take the country forward.

Mustafa Kamal said Karachi is the financial hub of Pakistan and its problems including that relating to water need to be resolved.

Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri called for providing maximum relief to the farmers in Balochistan. He said electricity should be provided at subsidised rates to the farmers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024