PPP chairman urges entire nation to stand united.
LARKANA: Chairman PPP, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attends an Iftar party.
LARKANA – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the entire nation to stand united in confronting the challenges facing the country, saying that on matters of national interest, every Pakistani and every political party must be on the same page, with one face and one voice. He once again paid tribute to the armed forces for giving a strong response to the unprovoked aggression of the Kabul regime and reaffirmed his unwavering support.
The PPP Chairman while addressing an Iftar dinner hosted in his honor by Larkana Mayor Anwar Lohar here on Friday, said that whatever conspiracies are being hatched against Pakistan, “we are ready to confront them together.” He said that while a new wave of terrorism is affecting areas from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Balochistan, attacks are also being launched sometimes from the Afghan border and at other times from the Indian front.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the brave armed forces have responded decisively to the attack carried out by Afghanistan’s interim government against Pakistan and will continue to do so. He emphasised that in these difficult circumstances, the PPP’s position—and its message to the entire nation—is that the country must present a united front. He said the government should take the initiative to engage representatives from across the political spectrum and all key stakeholders. He expressed hope that all political stakeholders would formulate an appropriate policy to set aside differences and unite against Pakistan’s real challenges. He added that political differences among parties will naturally persist, and should continue to be addressed at the appropriate time and forum.
Highlighting the effectiveness of Sindh’s local government system, the PPP Chairman said that Sindh is the only province where the local government system remains functional and its elected representatives are actively serving the people. He pointed out that, compared to other provinces, local bodies in Sindh enjoy greater financial, administrative, and political authority. He added that while Sindh’s local government system continues to function consistently, even enacting local government legislation remains a major challenge in other provinces.
He further said that campaigns and character assassination directed against Sindh are driven by ulterior motives. He said there is a mindset behind such efforts that seeks to separate Karachi from the province and seize control of province’s resources. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed pride in the PPP’s elected representatives—whether at the national, provincial, or local level—for serving the people and fighting for their rights on every forum. He said, “We are ready to respond—in the court of public opinion, in the political arena, and on the media front—but those conspiratorial elements have failed before and will fail again.”
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday expressed serious concern over the prevailing situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging both countries to exercise restraint and adopt a responsible approach to prevent further escalation.
In a statement, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that Pakistan’s security concerns are legitimate and must be acknowledged. However, he emphasized that Afghanistan’s sovereignty and its internal challenges should also be respected. He warned that emotional and reactive attitudes on both sides were contributing to increased complications and tensions.
The JUI-F chief stressed the need to pursue bilateral interests through a reliable security framework and in accordance with internationally recognized norms. He said that proactive diplomacy could help find a sustainable and lasting solution to the issue, cautioning that unilateral military actions would not resolve the matter but instead create further complexities.
He called on “both brotherly Islamic countries” to immediately implement a ceasefire and demonstrate patience, tolerance and responsibility. He also expressed hope that countries wishing for peace in the region would play a constructive and peaceful diplomatic role.
Meanwhile, JUI-F Secretary General Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri also reacted to the rising tensions, stating that military actions had created anxiety among the people of both nations. He appealed to both governments to announce an immediate ceasefire and adopt a measured and responsible course of action.
Haideri urged peace-loving countries in the region to step forward and facilitate diplomatic engagement. He further called on global powers, particularly the United States, to refrain from pursuing divisive policies in the region for their own strategic interests.
The JUI-F leader emphasized that Muslim countries must recognize their real challenges and that unity within the Ummah was the need of the hour. Referring to the ongoing situation in Gaza, he said Israeli actions had shaken the conscience of the world and underscored the necessity for a joint strategy by the Muslim world.
He also urged India to avoid interference in the region, stating that there was no room for external elements in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
